IO94 
B43fc 
1850 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 
THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGELES 


5L 

FOREST  ROSE 

A  TALE  OF  THE  FRONTIER 


BY  EMERSON  BENNETT 

Author  of   "Prairie  Flower,"    "Lent  Leoti,"    "The  Bandits  of 

the  Osage,"    "Kate  Clarendon,"    "The  Traitor,  or  the 

Fall  of  Ambition,"  Etc,,  Etc. 


NEW  EDITION 

Revised  by  the  Author 


Published  by 

H.  E.  GILLESPIE 

Bookseller  Stationer 

LANCASTER,  OHIO 

The  Eagle  <5^^OT&  Job  Print 


PS 

10 
PREFACE  TO  REVISED  EDITION 

A  distinguished  American  author,  in  a  preface  to 
one  of  his  works,  remarks,  in  effect,  that  in  his  view  a 
writer  of  fiction  is  entitled  to  all  that  is  possible;  and 
though  hi  the  main  we  agree  with  him,  yet  at  the  same 
lime  we  think  that  the  Novelist  should  always  endeavor 
to  confine  himself  to  the  probable ;  for  when  he  goes  be 
yond  probability,  he  destroys  that  charm  of  naturalness 
which  every  author  should  study  to  produce,  and  puts 
himself  in  danger  oi  being  set  down  by  his  readers  as  a 
kind  of  modern  Munchausen. 

The  chief  beauty  of  fiction,  in  our  humble  opinion, 
consists  in  its  representation  of  scenes  and  incidents  sc 
like  to  nature  and  facts,  that  the  reader  can  feel,  as  it 
were,  that  they  are  realities;  and  whether  or  no  he  be 
lieves  the  narrative  to  be  a  true  record,  taken  from  real 
li^e,  matters  little,  so  long  as  there  is  nothing  set  forth 
by  which  he  can  prove  the  contrary.  We  all  know  that 
events  do  really  happen,  of  so  strange,  mysterious,  and 
miraculous  a  nature,  that,  without  the  most  positive  and 
reliable  evidence,  we  would  hardly  believe  them  possible, 
setting  probability  altogether  aside:  and  therefore,  to 
suppose  that  an  author  can,  by  any  ingenuity,  place  his 
characters  in  any  entanglement,  from  which  he  can 
plausibly  deliver  them,  and  in  doing  so  go  beyond  reality 
itself,  is  to  suppobe  him  capable  of  inventing  what  the 
whole  huraar  race,  together  with  all  circumstances  com 
bined,  have  never  been  able  to  produce. 


120204G 


We  know  that,  with  the  twenty- six  letters  of  the 
alphabet,  we  can  spell  any  word  in  the  English  language 
— and  tiiat  1?  this  language  we  can  express  any  thought 
or  ide;?  that  may  enter  our  minds — all  that  is  required 
beine;  different  arrangements  and  combinations  of  the 
same  primitive  letters;  and  so  an  author  may  extend 
fiction  to  all  that  is  possible,  and  yet  not  transgress  the 
limits  of  re?lity;  for  all.  that  he  can  so  imagine  within 
the  bounds  prescribed,  has  some  time  or  another  happen 
ed;  and  the  only  difference  between  his  narration  and 
facts,  is,  that  he  has  taken  a  little  here  and  a  little  there, 
and  put  these  parts  together— making,  not  anything 
wholly  new,  but  only  a  new  combination  of  the  old.  We 
have  been  led  into  these  remarks  from  the  fact,  that,  i:i 
the  pages  which  follow,  there  are  scenes  set  forth  of  so 
mysterious  and  miraculous  a  character,  that  the  reader, 
if  he  do^s  not  declare  them  downright  impossibilities 
wi'l  not  hesitate  to  assert  that  the  author  has  gone  far 
beyoid  probability,  and  let  his  inventive  faculties  run 
away  wilh  his  judgment.  Now  we  will  candidly  admi: 
that  we  have  gone  beyond  probability — that  the  contest 
between  t^o  Indian  scouts,  or  spies,  and  a  whole  tribe  of 
Eu-ofcs,  rTunbering  over  five  hundred  well-trained  war 
riors,  it  Mount  Pleasant,  or  Standing  Stone,  and  the  final 
escape  of  the  two  hunters,  is  an  improbability;  and  a=? 
sur;h  wo  \7onld  never  have  laid  it  before  the  public — 
notwitHstsndrag  our  legitimate  right  to  do  so.  if  we 
chose — had  it  simply  been  an  invention  of  our  own;  but, 
gentle  reader,  all  the  improbabilities  you  may  meet  in 
"Forset  Rose,"  are  facts — facts  handed  down  by  tradi 
tion,  and  now  recorded  in  the  historical  collections  of  the 
time  and  places  referred  to.  In  truth,  we  have  never 
written  a  story,  in  which  our  inventive  faculties  have 


fceen  so  little  exercised  as  in  the  present  instance;  for, 
with  the  exception  of  altering  the  names  of  the  prin 
cipal  actors,  to  suit  our  own  convenience,  we  have  fol 
lowed  tradition  to  the  very  letter,  and  introduced  noth 
ing  but  what  really  took  place  in  the  localities  and  dur 
ing  the  period  occupied  with  our  narration. 

IP  closing;  these  prefatory  remarks,  we  would  re 
turn  our  grateful  acknowledgment  to  the  public  for  the 
very  liberal  patronage  bestowed  upon  our  humble  labors, 
not  only  in  this  instance,  but  in  nearly  every  other.  It 
is  not  twc  years  since  "Forest  Rose"  first  appeared  as  a 
caiu^dat'1  for  public  favor,  at  which  time  an  unusually 
lar?p.  edition  was  piinted,  which  is  now  exhausted,  with 
unfilled  coders  in  the  publishers'  possession  from  vari 
ous  portions  of  the  Union.  When  an  author  finds  hu 
humble  endeavors  to  please  thus  appreciated,  it  is  rath 
er  a  pleasure  than  a  task  to  send  forth  from  his  solitude 
the  brain-children  of  his  creation.  In  this  respect,  we 
feel  that  we  have  been  very  fortunate  and  acknowledge 
it  with  -gratitude, 

EMERSON  BENNETT. 

Philadelphia,  September  1,  1850. 


BIOGRAPHY  OF  EMERSON  BENNETT 


(By  L.  S.  Wells.) 

The   subject   of   this   sketch,   the   author   of   Forest 

Rose,  was  born  in   Monsontown,  Mass.,  March  6th,  1822. 

After   his   father's   death,   at   the   age   of   sixteen,   young 

Bennett  with  the  family  moved  to  New  York  City,  where 

he  entered  an  Academy. 

About  this  time  he  wrote  a  poem  "The  Corsair," 
which  appeared  in  The  Odd  Fellows'  Journal  attracting 
marked  attention. 

Later,  he  lived  in  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  but 
in  1842  moved  to  Cincinnati  where  in  reality  hisi  career 
as  a  writer,  actively  began. 

He  chose  subjects  pertaining  to  Pioneer  Days  in 
which  an  interest  was  just  beginning  to  awaken,  and  at 
once  his  books  came  into  popular  demand,  edition  after 
eition  being  sold  following  close  in  sales  to  Mrs.  Stowe's 
Uncle  Tom's  Cabin.  . 

His  stories  originally  appeared  in  The  Cincinnati 
Daily  Commercial  and  later  in  book  forms.  In  1848,  he 
wrote  his  most  popular  romances  "Forest  Rose"  and 
"Leni  Leati"  which  reached  a  sale  of  over  100,000  cop 
ies,  a  phenomenal  one  for  those  times. 

Among  his  other  popular  books  were  "Waldo  War 
ren,"  "Viola,"  "Clara  Moreland"  and  "The  Artist's 
Bride." 

In  1850,  Mr.  Bennett  returned  to  Philadelphia  and 
never  again  lived  in  Ohio,  but  gave  his  whole  time  to  lit 
erary  labor. 

His  romances  (about  100)  and  his  short  sketches  (a 
greater  number)  appeared  in  the  Philadelphia  Evening 
Post  and  Robert  Bonner's  New  York  Ledger,  most  of 
which  were  later  published  in  book  form. 

Twice  in  his  life  he  projected  and  published  a  maga 
zine  which  met  the  usual  fate  from  authors,  who  make 
such  experiments.  Each  lived  a  short  life,  although  his 
ability  as  a  writer  was  unquestioned.  His  style  is  above 
the  average  of  that  period  and  his  books,  are  remarkable 
for  their  classical,  yet  clear  language  and  are  most  valu 
able  contributions  to  Pioneer  history. 

In  these,  he  keeps  close  to  facts  as  shown  particular 
ly  in  his  delineation  of  that  hero,  scout  and  pathfinder, 
Lewis  Wetzel,  as  set  forth  in  "Forest  Rose." 

It  was  such  authors  as  Emerson  Bennett  that  caus 
ed  that  great  historian,  who  in  the  last  weeks  of  his  life, 
unable  to  read,  had  a  friend  thus  entertain  him. 

One  day  the  reader  saying  to  him  "What  History 
shall  I  read  you  now"  to  which  he  replied  "read  me  fic 
tion,  it  may  be  true,  as  to  histories,  I  know  they  are 
lies." 

L.  S.  WELLS. 
Centerburg,    O.,    Jan.  5th,  1920. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE 


CHAPTER  I. 

The  Settler. 

Near  the  south-eastern  angle  of  what  is  now  Bel- 
mont  County,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  a  large  creek  loses 
rtself  in  that  beautiful  stream  from  which  the  State  just 
mentioned  takes  its  name.  This  creek  is  called  the  Cap- 
tina,  and  its  head-waters  are  to  be  found  some  thirty  or 
forty  miles  back  among-  the  hills.  But  is  has  tributaries 
not  far  distant  from  the  Ohio  River;  and  one  of  these 
flows  through  a  pleasant  valley,  and  near  a  little  knoll, 
which  rises  in  the  form  of  a  cone,  and  resembles  the  an 
cient  mounds,  of  which  there  are  so  many  to  be  found  in 
this  region  ov  country.  Whether  this  knoll  is  a  nat 
ural  or  an  artificial  one,  we  do  not  pretend  to  say;  but 
it  is  enough  for  our  purpose  to  state,  that  on  its  suramjit 
a  rude  lor  cabin  was  erected  as  early  as  the  year  1789. 

The  family  who  occupied  this  solitary  cabin,  con- 
sister  of  six  persons—--  a  father,  mother,  two  sons,  and 
two  daughters — hut  one  of  the  last  named  relationship 
only  by  adoption.  The  surnames  of  five  of  these  were 
Maywoocl — the  adopted  still  retaining  her  own  appella 
tion,  which  was  Rose  Forester — or,  as  she  was  more  fre 
quently  termed,  in  the  way  of  familiar  endearment, 
'Forest  Rose." 

The  elder  Maywood  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
had  been,  at  one  period  of  his  life,  quite  a  wealthy  plant 
er.  The  father  of  Rose  and  himself  had  been  bosom  com 
panions.  Quite  intimate  in  youth,  they  had  grown  up 
friends  in  The  true  acceptation  of  the  term.  They  had 
married  at  nearly  the  same  period,  and  had  settled  down, 


2  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

side  by  side,  each  with  a  fortune  sufficient  to  give  him  an 
3asy  independence. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  o*  the  Revolution, 
May  wood  had  two  children,  both  sons,  of  the  ages  seven 
and  four,  and  Forester  one.  a  sprightly  little  daughter  of 
three  years.  Both  were  patriotic  men;  and  feeling  that 
chelr  country  stood  in  need  of  their  aid,  both  volunteered 
their  services  in  her  'lefense.  Forester  received  the  ap 
pointment  of  colonel,  and  Maywood  that  of  Captain,  and 
both  served  with  distinction  in  the  same  regiment.  Gov- 
arment  being  embarrassed  for  fands  to  pay  the  soldiers, 
or  even  to  supply  them  with  the  necessary  clothing  and 
provisions,  these  two  noble  patriots  mortgaged  their 
plantations,  and  put  vhe  amount  received  into  the  quar 
termaster's  hands,  to  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  regi 
ment. 

But  to  be  brief  with  what  will  be  of  but  little  inter 
est  to  the  reader.  At  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  fought 
in  1781,  Colonel  Forester  fell  mortally  wounded.  Only  a 
month  bafore,  he  had  heard  of  the  death  of  his  wife;  and 
now  he  was  about  to  die  and  leave  his  only  daughter  an 
orphan,  and  penniless:  for  he  well  knew  that  his  estate 
would  go  to  pay  his  debts.  It  so  chanced  that  Captain 
Maywood  was  near  him  when  he  was  shot  from  his  horse; 
and  regardless  of  anything  but  the  life  of  bis  friend,  the 
gallant  captain  alone  raised  him  in  his  arms,  and  bore 
him  through  a  terrible  fire  to  the  quarters  of  the  surgeon, 
who,  on  examining  his  wounds,  shook  his  head  gravely, 
and  said  that  he  Bad  not  many  minutes  to  live.  On  this 
Captain  Maywood  burst  into  tears,  and  wrung  his  hands 
in  grief;  but  the  dying  man  was  more  composed,  and 
Jjade  his  friend  to  remember  that  he  was  a  soldier,  and 
that  such  was  the  fate  of  war. 

"For  the  sake  of  my  child,"  continued  the  dying  col 
onel,  "and  more  than  all,  for  the  sake  of  my  country, 
which  needs  the  aid  of  all  her  sons,  I  would  wish  to  live. 
But  God  his  willed  it  otherwise,  and  I  will  strive  to  be 
resigned.  In  a  few  minutes  more  I  shall  be  with  my  angel 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  3 

wife  in  another  world,  and  there  will  be  none  but  you,  my 
friend,  to  act  the  part  of  a  father  to  my  sweet  little  itose. 
In  your  charge  T  leave  her,  knowing  you  will  care  ten 
derly  for  her,  lor  the  sake  of  him  who  for  the  last  time 
now  addresses  you.  Farewell,  my  friend!  and  may  God 
preserve  you  to  behold  the  dny.  when  the  stars  and  stripes 
shall  wave  in  triumph  over  a  land  of  freemen." 

These  were  the  last  words  of  Colonel  Forester.  Five 
minutes  after  ho  had  pronounced  them,  he  was  a  corpse; 
and  his  friend  stood  beside  him,  weeping  at  the  loss  of  a 
noble  commander,  and  a  bosom  companion. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  Captain  Maywood  returned 
to  his  family,  of  which  little  Rose  was  already  a  member. 
He  found  his  own  affairs  in  a  rather  embarrassed  condi 
tion,  and  that  t.he  estate  of  his  friend,  which  had  just 
been  settled,  barely  left  Rose  a  few  hundred  dollars.  He 
immediately  effected  a  sale  of  his  own  property;  and  on 
taking  up  the  mortgage,  and  settling  some  other  debts  he 
had  contracted,  he  found  himself  possessed  of  two  thous 
and  five  hundred  dollars,  besides  three  slaves,  family  ser 
vants,  whom  he  had  reserved.  He  now  removed  to  Rich 
mond,  both  for  the  purpose  of  giving  his  children  a  good 
education,  and  to  engage  in  some  mercantile  pursuit — 
hoping  thereby  to  retrieve  his  lost  fortune.  But  he  was 
not  calculated  for  the  business  he  had  attempted;  and  in 
the  course  of  a  few  years  he  sold  off  his  stock  of  goods, 
paid  his  debts,  and  found  himself  worth  nothing. 

His  affairs  being  now  represented  to  the  general 
government,  Congress  made  him  a  grant  of  one  thousand 
acres  of  land,  located  in  the  section  of  country  to  which 
we  have  called  the  reader's  attention  in  the  opening  of 
this  chapter;  and  which,  at  that  period,  was  known  as 
Washington  County,  being  the  first  established  in  the 
North-Western  Territory,  by  proclamation  of  Governor 
St.  Clair. 

Thither  Captain  Maywood  removed  with  his  family, 
in  the  fall  of  1789,  and  at  once  proceeded  to  erect  a  cab- 
In  on  the  lif.tle  knoll  already  mentioned. 


4  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

At  this  time  there  were  very  few  settlers  in  this  sec 
tion  of  the  country,  and  none  between  Captain  May- 
wood's  and  the  Ohio  River;  but  as  a  treaty  had  been  made 
the  January  previous,  at  Fort  Harmar,  between  Gover 
nor  St.  Glair  and  the  sachems  and  warriors  of  the  Wyan- 
dotte,  Chippe~va,  Potawatomie,  and  Sac  nations,  in  which 
the  treaty  at  Fort  Mclntosh  was  renewed  and  confirmed, 
little  trouble  was  apprehended  from  the  savages,  and  in 
consequence  verv  little  j>ains  were  taken  to  guard  against 
them  by  the  bold  pioneers  who  chanced,  at  this  precise 
period,  to  venture  into  the  wilderness. 

At  all  events,  Captain  Maywood  made  no  provisions 
against  a  surpriso — not  even  raising  a  block-house  for  de 
fense.  He  \vas  a  bold,  fearless,  energetic  n>an — a  true 
patriot — but  rather  self-willed,  self-confident,  and  short 
sighted  in  regard  to  certain  things.  He  had  somehow 
imbibed  the  idea — or  else  he  promulgated  it  for  the  pake 
of  argument — that  the  Indians  were  a  very  magnani 
mous,  and  consequently,  much-abused  race  of  being,  who 
always  acted  on  the  defensive  only;  and  that,  unless  mo 
lested  by  the  whites,  they  would  ever  remain  peaceably 
disposed  toward  their  white  neighbors.  To  prove  his 
sophism,  he  would  cite  William  Penn  and  his  followers  as 
examples;  and  always  concluded  by  saying  that  any  per 
son  might  venture  into  the  wilderness,  and  pass  a  long 
life  in  quietude,  provided  he  did  not  become  the  aggres 
sor. 

In  vain  his  eldest  son,  Albert — an  intelligent  youth 
of  twenty — tried,  to  reason  him  out  of  his  foolish  theory, 
on  the  ground  that  the  Indians,  having  been  long  at  war 
»with  the  whites,  and  never  having  received  a  just  com 
pensation  for  their  lands,  would  look  upon  all  the  latter 
race  as  aggressors,  and  treat  them  accordingly.  As  to 
William  Penn  and  his  followers,  he  admitted  they  had 
succeeded  in  settling  in  an  Indian  country  without  shed 
ding  blood.  But  how  had  they  done  so?  In  the  first 
place,  every  circumstance  had  been  in  their  favor.  They 
had  appeared  among  the  Indians  as  a  peaceable  body  of 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  5 

men — the  first  vhite  men  which  many  of  the  savages 
had  ever  seer.  They  had  come  loaded  with  presents  to 
the  Indians  whom  they  called  together  in  council,  and 
then  purchased  the  lands  of  them  at  a  stipulated  price, 
which  price  they  had  promptly  paid.  Besides  all  this, 
they  were  a  p'-'-ulSar  people,  in  dress  and  manners,  and 
the  Indians  had  come  to  regard  them  as  a  distinct  race 
of  beings — all  of  which  was  very  different  from  a  single 
white  settler,  of  the  period  in  question,  coming  among 
infuriated  savages:  who  would  draw  no  distinction  be 
tween  him  and  those  who  had  preceded  him. 

The  argument  of  Albert,  as  we  have  said,  produced 
no  effect  upon  the  mind  of  his  father,  unless  it  were  to 
render  him  more  obstinate  that  ever.  Whether  he  had 
any  faith  in  his  sophism  or  not,  certain  it  is  he  took  every 
means  oT  putting  it  to  the  test,  by  leaving  himself  and 
family  totally  defenseless.  He  not  only  refused  to  erect 
a  block-house,  but  forbade  his  son  the  privilege  of  doing 
it  also. 

The  cabin  built  by  Captain  May  wood  was  in  the  or 
dinary  style  of  the  early  settlers — being  composed  of  logs, 
with  a  puncheon*  floor,  and  clapboard  roof.  It  contain 
ed  very  little  furniture  besides  such  as  was  manufactur 
ed  in  the  forest.  On  the  outside,  at  one  end,  was  the 
chimney,  built  also  of  logs,  with  the  hearth  and  jambs 
of  stone.  At  the  opposite  end  stood  a  couple  of  beds, 
supported  above  the  ground  by  cross-bars,  one  end  of 
which  rested  on  the  logs,  and  the  other  on  crotches  driv 
en  firmly  into  the  earth  between  the  puncheons.  A  few 
pots  and  kettles,  with  some  pewter  dishes,  a  puncheon 
table,  several  three-legged  stools,  a  couple  of  rifles,  and  a 
smalt  mirror,  formed  the  principal  part  of  the  household 
stock. 

To  people  accustomed  to  refinement,  as  the  May- 
woods  had  bet^n  to  a  great  degree,  a  home  like  this,  in 

*  Puncheons  were  planks  made  by  splitting  logs  to  about  two  and  a 
half  or  three  inches  in  thickness,  and  hewing  them  on  one  or  botli  sidefi 
•with  a  broad-ax. 


6  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

the  \vildernest5,  might  be  supposed  to  furnish  but  few 
attractions.  y^t  there  was  no  complaint.  All  strove  to  ac- 
eommodate  themselves  to  their  circumstances,  and  view 
their  change  of  fortune  with  that  pholosophy  necessary 
to  render  life  aereeable.  As  for  Albert,  he  rather  liked  it 
than  otherwise,  as  it  gave  him  ample  opportunity  to  hunt 
through  the  surrovnding  woods — an  occupation  of  which 
he  was  extremely,  wo  might  say  passionately,  fond. 

During,  the  winter  succeeding  his  settlement  in  this 
section  of  country,  Captain  Maywood  employed  much  of 
his  time  in  felling  the  trees  around  his  dwelling;  and 
being  a  strong,  athletic  man,  he  made  considerable  pro 
gress;  so  that  on  the  opening  of  the  spring  of  1790,  sev 
eral  acres  had  been  cleared  and  burned  over,  ready  for 
tilling. 

Meantime  settlers  from  different  parts  of  the  country 
began. to  locate  themselves  in  the  vicinity.  At  first  it 
was  thought  that  the  treaty  of  Harmar  would  render 
:hem  safe  from  the  encroachments  of  the  savages;  but 
the  report  of  some  Indian  nvjrders  on  the  Muskinguni  un 
deceived,  the .11,  and  they  immediately  proceeded  to  con- 
struck  block-houses  for  protection.  Nearly  opposite  the 
mouth  of  Captira  Creek,  on  the  Virginia  shore,  a  fort 
*Puncheons  were  planks  made  by  splitting  logs  to 
about  two  and  a  half  or  three  inches  in  thickness,  and 
hewing  them  on  one  or  both  sides  with  a  broad-ax, 
wa?  b'-iilt,  which  was  named  Baker's  Fort,  in  honor  of  its 
founder 

Mawvood,  however,  true  to  his  theory,  contended 
that  such  precautions  were  not  only  useless,  but  detri 
mental — as  the  savages  would  regard  them  as  so  many 
tokens  of  defiance,  and  would  in  consequence  assail  them 
at  the  first  favorable  opportunity.  He  laughed  at  the 
fears  of  the  settlers,  and  they  regarded  him  as  little  bet 
ter  than  one  insane. 

Time  wore  on,  a  year  passed  away,  and  still  Captain 
Maywood  and  his  family  remained  undisturbed —al 
though  it  was  well  known  the  Indians  had  again  dug  up 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  7 

Ihe  war  ax,  and  were  committing  depredations  in  almost 
overy  section  of  the  country. 

To  such  a  degree!  were  the  settlers,  of  what  was  then 
termed  the  North  Western  Territory,  annoyed  and 
alarmed  by  the  increasing  hostility  of  the  savages,  that 
General  St.  Clair  now  received  orders  to  form  a  strong 
military  body,  and  march  from  Fort  Washington  (Cin 
cinnati)  up  toward  the  lakes,  and  establish  forts  some 
thirty  or  forty  miles  apart  along  the  whole  route,  in  or 
der  to  overawe  the  Indians,  and  render  the  country  se 
cure  against  a  r-rmtinued  repetition  of  bloody  depreda 
tions. 

Acting  und^r  his  instructions,  St.  Clair  proceeded  to 
organize  an  army;  and  in  the  spring  of  1791.  he  left 
Fort  Pitt  (Pittsburg),  and  arrived  at  Fort  Washington 
on  the  15th  of  May;  from  whence,  owing  to  several  hin 
drances,  he  did  not  depart  on  his  expedition  till  the  be 
ginning  of  the  autumn  following. 

Advancing  his  troops  by  slow  marches,  he  establish 
ed  Fort  Hamilton  and  Fort  Jefferson  on  his  route,  and 
on  the  third  of  November  encamped  on  a  branch  of  the 
"Wabash,  in  the  present  limits  of  Dark  County.  His  army 
at  this  time  was  more  than  two  thousand  strong,  exclu 
sive  of  sDme  six  hvndred  militia  But  notwithstanding 
this,  he  was  assailed  on  the  following  morning  by  an 
overwhelming  body  of  Indians — the  grand  combination 
of  several  nations — led  on  by  their  most  celebrated  chiefs 
among  whom  was  Teoamseh.  Black  Hoof,  Little  Turtle, 
Captain  Pipe,  Simon  Girtj-,  and  others — and  after  a  des 
perate  resistance  of  several  hours,  was  defeated,  with  a 
loss  of  more  than  six  hundred  men,  including  a  great 
number  of  the  best  and  bravest  officers  the  country  has 
ever  produced 

This  signal  defeat  of  a  grand  army  of  the  whites, 
was  a  glorious  trumph  to  the  Indians,  who  in  consequence 
became  more  bold  and  bloodthirsty  than  ever;  and  even 
carried  tneir  outrages  into  the  very  heart  of  some  of  the 
strongest  settlements,  causing  the  greatest  consternation 


S  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

among  the  citizens  throughout  all  sections  of  the  coun 
try. 

The  spring  succeeding  St.  Glair's  defeat,  is  the  per 
iod  that  the  actior  of  our  humble  narrative  really  begins. 
CHAPTER  II. 

The  Lovers  and  the  Presentiment. 

Albert  Maywood  was  now  a  young  man  of  twenty- 
two,  with  a  large,  vigorous  frame,  peculiarly  adapted  to 
forest  life.  In  personal  appearance  he  was  rather  pre 
possessing  Fis  countenance  was  open,  frank,  and  cheer 
ful;  and  his  clear  blue  eye  had  a  peculiar  fascination  for 
such  as  could  call  him  friend — by  which  we  mean  to  pay, 
that  its  expression  varied  with  his  feelings;  and  to  those 
who  disliked  him,  or  whom  he  disliked,  it  gleamed  with 
a  sullen  sterness  calculated  to  awe,  and  excite  in  them 
a  secret  dread  of  the  owner.  Pie  was  of  an  ardent  tem 
perament — quick  to  anger,  and  quick  to  forgive — pro 
vided  a  suitable  apology  for  an  offense  was  offered — and 
in  case  he  fancied  himself  in  the  wrong,  he  was  ever 
ready  and  willing  to  confess  his  fault.  He  was  intelli 
gent,  and  had  received  an  education  far  beyond  what  was 
usual  with  young  men  of  that  period,  even  when  passing 
their  lives  in  the  old  settlements. 

But  Albert  cared  little  for  book-learning  after  his 
arrival  in  the  wilderness.  Two  things  now  seemed  to 
absorb  his  whole  thoughts;  and  these,  strangely  dissimi 
lar  as  they  may  appear,  were  his  rifle  and  Rose  Forester. 
Hunting  \\ith  him  had  become  a  passion,  equaled  only  by 
zhe  passion  he  felt  for  the  poor  orphan.  To  range  the 
woods  all  day  his  rifle  his  only  companion,  and  return  at 
night,  to  sit  and  talk  with  Rose,  was  to  him  the  -very 
acme  of  delight — the  soul  of  enjoyment.  In  vaiu  his 
father  had  sought  to  force  him  to  manual  labor — to  make 
him  a  farmer — to  get  his  aid  in  clearing  and  tilling  the 
land.  No!  he  would  hunt,  and  supply  the  family  with 
meat;  but,  like  the  Indian,  he  disdained  to  touch  a  hus 
bandry  implement.  At  length  the  captain  gave  up  the 


THE  FOREST   ROSE.  9 

point  in  despair,  and  Albert  was  allowed  to  havf::  his  own 
way. 

Whether  Albert's  passion  for  hunting  was  a  judic 
ious  )ne  or  rot,  certain  it  is  that  his  passion  for  Forest 
Rose,  as  he  lo'/ed  to  term  her,  was  anything  but  unwise, 
or  in  bad  taste;  for  not  all  the  settlements  on  the  frontier, 
at  that  period,  could  match  her  in  prettiness,  intelligence, 
sprightliness,  and  sweetness  of  temper.  She  was  small  in 
stature — fccing  scarcely  five  feet  high — with  one  of  those 
open,  ingenuous,  playful  countenances,  that  ever  seern  to 
send  a  ray  of  sunshine  to  the  heart  of  the  beholder.  Her 
features  wero  t'iny  arid  regular,  with  a  clear  complexion 
and  dark,  sparkling  eyes;  and  there  was  such  an  air  of 
cheerfulness  in  her  whole  countenance,  that  even  the 
most  morose  could  not  but  experience  a  sweet  pleasure  in 
looking  upon  her.  If  Albert  loved  Rose,  Rose  loved  Al 
bert,  and  bot.h  loved  from  opposite  principles — the  for 
mer,  because  the  object  of  his  affections  was  physically 
weak  and  needed  a  strong  arm — and  the  latter,  because 
:;he  could  loofc  up  to  the  being  of  her  choice  and  feel  in 
him  a  protector 

And  this  Icve  of  opposites.  by  the  way,  not  only 
physically  but  mentally,  is  the  strongest  and  most  ezidur- 
ing  of  all  earthly  passion,  let  who  will  argue  to  the  con 
trary;  for  where  two  persons  come  together  of  equal  phy 
sical  and  mental  capacities,  there  is  a  certain  feeling  of 
equality  and  independence,  on  both  sides,  that  tends  to 
destroy  the  peruliar  harmony  that  must  otherwise  pre 
vail  where  one  finds  in  the  other  the  attraction  that  she 
or  he  has  not  By  a  righteous  law  of  nature,  man  loves 
what  he  can  fostor  and  protect :  woman,  what  can  cher 
ish  and  protect  her. 

Tt  was  toward  evening  of  a  warm,  pleasant  day  in 
May,  that  A;beit  returned  as  usual  from  his  hunt;  for 
seldom  was  he  away  more  than  a  day  at  a  time — as  his 
enjoyment  consisted  as  much  in  rehearsing  to  little  Rose 
the  adventures  he  had  met  with  since  seeing  her,  as  in 
going  through  the  adventures  themselves.  Reaching  tho 


10  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

I)row  of  a  hill  which  overlooked  the  knoll  on  which  bis 
father's  cabin  stood,  as' also  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  and 
the  distant  station,  ho  cast  himself  down  upon  the  trunk 
e-f  a  fallen  tree. 

The  sun  was  about  half  an  hour  above  the  horizen; 
and  although  his  rays  could  not  penetrate  to  where  our 
hr.ro  was  sitting,  owing  to  the  thick  foliage  of  the  trees 
over  his  head,  yet  this  did  not  prevent  him  from  enjoy 
ing  the  beauties  of  the  light  as  it  softly  fell  upon  the 
landscape  toward  which  his  gaze  was  not.  directed.  Be 
fore  him,  down  the  valley,  a  distance  of  some  two  hun 
dred  yards,  the  hill  on  which  he  had  paused  was  cleared 
of  trees  and  l.ri.sh,  and  his  father  and  brother  were  now 
engaged  with  two  heavy  yoke  of  cattle  in  turning  it  up 
lor  fall  sowing.  At  trie  bottom  of  this  hill,  rising  up  out 
of  the  valley  like  an  artificial  mound,  was  the  little  knoll 
already  mentioned,  on  which  the  cabin  stood;  and  the 
Tand  being  cleared  all  around  it — so  that  the  creek  could 
be  seen  gliding  by  on  the  other  side,  and  burying  itself 
in  a  thirket  about  a  hundred  yards  further  down — it  had 
a  very  pleasing  and  picturesque  effect.  Nor  was  this  ef- 
lect  less  pleasant,  from  beholding  a  light  blue  smoke  curl 
slowly  upward  from  the  rude  chimney  of  the  cabin,  and 
spread  itself  out  in  the  rays  of  the  dying  sun,  which 
poured  a  golden  flood 'of  light  into  the  opening,  and 
made  the  little  creek  .^listen  like  a  belt  of  silver  The  hill 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  valley  had  been  partially  clear 
ed  and  a  large  jorn  and  potato  patch  was  in  sight,  with 
the  tops  of  these  vegetables  just  peeping  above  the  rich 
soil,  and  giving  it  a  greenish  cast.  Beyond  and  around. 
on  every  side,  like  the  framework  to  a  picture,  the  dark 
green  fores' — with  its  noble  trees  of  oak  and  ash,  beech 
and  marie,  elm  and  sycamore — shut  in  the  scene,  and 
gave  to  it  that  sylvan  beauty  which  the  mediative  poet 
so  loves  to  contemplate. 

And  Albeit  ^  as  a  poet  in  feeling,  though  be  had  rever 
penned  hi*  thoughts;  and  as  he  sat  and  gazed  upon  the 
landscape  before  him,  he  cradually  became  lost  'n  a 


THE   FOREST   ROSE.  11 

dreamy  reverie,  of  which  little  Forest  Rose  formed  no 
unimportant  part. 

While  thus  lost  in  contemplation,  he  fel!  a  hand 
ijghtly  touch  his  shoulder.  It  was  a  period  when  it  be 
hooved  every  one  to  be  on  his  guard  against  lurking  sav 
ages;  and  with  a  bound  that  would  have  done  no  dis 
credit  to  a  practiced  vaulter,  our  young  hunter  sprang 
some  several  feet  from  the  log,  and,  wheeling,  brought 
his  rifle  (which,  while  sitting,  had  rested  on  his  knees," 
to  his  shoulder,  read  tc  fire  upon  the  intruder,  in  the 
«?vent  of  its  proving  to  be  a  foe. 

A  light,  merry  laugh  was  the  response  to  this  war 
like  demonstration  of  the  hunter;  and  instantly  bring 
the  breach  of  his  rifle  to  the  ground  the  young  man 
sprang  forward,  exclaiming. 

"Why,  my  little  Forest  Rose;  how  you  startled  me' 
How  cama  vou  here?" 

"By  the  simplest  method  in  the  world,  Albert,"  re 
plied  the  other  gaily.  "My  little  feet  brought  me  here  " 

"I  understand  all  that,  my  little  rogue;  but  what  I 
want  to  knov  is.  \vhy  your  feet  brought  you  here?"' 

"Simp'.y  because  I  willed  them  to  do  so." 

'Pshaw — " 

"Ther«5,  there,  Albert — don'_t  frown  now,  and  I'll 
answer  your  question,  not  as  you  put  it,  but  as  you  meant 
it,  I  came  here  expressly  to  surprise  you." 

"But  how  did  you  know  I  was  here?" 

How?  Ha,  ha,  ha!  Come,  you  get  wiser  in  your  in 
terrogations  every  minute.  How  should  I  know  you  were 
here?" 

'T  mean,  how  came  you  to  see  me?  for  I  saw  nothing 
of  you." 

"Why,  I  had  just  been  up  to  speak  a  word  with  fath 
er,  about  some  seeds  for  our  garden,  and  though  I  might 
as  well  run  up  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  seeing  I  was  more 
than  half  way.  and  take  a  view  of  this  pretty  land^ape — 
when,  just  as  I  had  got  here,  who  should  pop  out  o'  the 
voods  but  Master  Albert,  large  as  life.  I  hid  behind  a 


12  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

tree,  and  waited  till  >ou  seemed  pretty  well  absorbed, 
in  contemplation,  and  then  stole  softly  round,  just  to  give 
you  a  gentle  surprise.  But  I  say,  Albert,  what  news  of 
the  woods?" 

"None,  Rose,  nore  " 

'  What!  have  yov  had  no  adventures  today,  Albert?" 

"None  at  all — unless  sitting  upon  a  log  may  be  call 
ed  an  adventure." 

"Wny,  surely,  you  have  not  been  practicing  that  all 
day?"  re.ioined  the  other  with  a  laugh. 

"Ay.  but  I  have.  I  have  not  been  three  miles  from 
home;  and  what  is  mcro,  I  let  a  deer  run  by  me  without 
even  lifting  my  rifle.  The  most  active  feat  I  have  per- 
forzned  is  the  cne  you  have  just  witnessed." 

"But  how  is  this,  Albert?"  inquired  the  dark-eyed 
Rose,  with  a  slight  shade  of  uneasiness  perceptible  on  her 
usually  sunshinny  countenance.  "Are  you  not  well.  Al 
bert'" 

"Why,  yes,  I  believe  so — that  is,  I  am  not  sick;  but. 
somehow,  I  feel  depressed  in  spirits,  as  though  some 
thing  of  solemn  import  were  about  to  happen.  I  do  not 
know  why  it  is;  I  never  felt  so  before." 

"I  have  felt  so  twice,"  returned  Rose,  her  dark  eyes 
.filling  with  ters  at  the  recollection.  "Once,  the  night 
V>efore  my  own  dear  mother  died;  and  the  second  time, 
the  day  of  the  dreadful  battle  in  which  my  poor  father 
perished." 

"Poor  Rose!"  said  the  other,  tenderly,  'do  not  weep 
— for  somohow  when  I  see  you  weep,  it  makes  me  feel 
womarish  myself.  Do  you  think  then,  Rose,  that  my 
peculiar  feelings  today  are  an  omen  of  some  impending 
calamity?" 

"God  forefetid!:'  replied  the  other,  earnestly. 

"I  have  half -thought  so  myself,"  pursued  the  young 
man,  uneasily.  "Oh!  I  do  wish  I  could  persuade  father 
not  to  live  so  exposed,  and  so  defensless.  The  savages 
are  making  encroachments  in  every  direction,  and  who 
knows  but  they  will  be  this  way  next!  Good  heavens!" 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  13 

pursued  the  young  man,  earnestly,  "wliat  if  I  should 
return  some  evening  and  find  you  all  murdered.  Oh! 
the  thought  is  horrible! — it  is  appalling  even  to  imagine 
it!" 

"Then  vTiy  do  you  leave  us,  dear  Albert,  and  so  ex 
pose  yourself,  alone  in  the  woods,  far  from  any  habita 
tion?  Oh!  if  vou  -Jid  but  know  the  painful  anxiety  it 
causes  me,  when  you  do  not  make  your  appearance  at 
the  usual  hour!  Who  knows  but  you  may  be  killed  in 
the  forest,  either  by  the  wild  beasts  or  savages?  and 
then  what  would  become  of  poor  Rose  Forester  " 

This  was  uttered  in  that  artless,  almost  childish 
simplicity  of  manner  and  tone,  that  a  fond  sister  would 
naturally  use  in  addressing  a  dearly  beloved  brother. 
And  the  response  of  young  Maywood  was  in  keeping;  for 
he  drew  the  fair  creature  to  him  and  imprinted  a  kiss 
upon  her  ruby  lips. 

"Nay,  dearest,"  he  said,  "do  not  be  alarmed  on  my 
account!  I  have  no  fears  for  myself." 

"But  T  have  for  you,"  returned  the  other,  "and  for 
you  only.'1 

"Bless  you,  my  little  Rose!"  Then  musing  seriously 
a  moment,  he  added:  "But  you  must  not  remain  here, 
Rose'  If  father  Avill  persist  in  living  thus  exposed,  I 
must  provide  a  place  of  safety  for  you;  for  somehow  it 
seems  a?  if  on  your  welfare  my  own  existence  depends. 
I  will  tike  you  over  to  Baker's  Fort,  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river,  where  you  will  be  comparatively  safe." 

""What!  and  leave  my  adopted  parents — my  brother 
and  little  sister  behind? — and  you — you  alao,  Albert?" 

"But  f  will  go  with  you,  Rose;  and  will  try  and  per 
suade  Mary  and  mother  to  go  also." 

"Well,  if  they  consent,  I  will,  but  if  not — " 

"Ah,  Rose,  promise  me  that  you  will  consent,  wheth 
er  they  do  or  not." 

'To  go  with  you,  Albert?" 

"Ay." 


14  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

"But — but — "  said  the 'other,  hesitatingly,  and  look 
ing  downward,  while  the  warm  blood  mounted  to  her 
templos,  and  made  her  look  in  truth  the  "Forest  Rose." 

"But  what?''  asked  the  young  hunter,  eyeing  her 
fondly. 

"But  you  know  we  are  not  really  brother  and  sister," 
was  the  timid  reply,  "and  people  might  think  strange  of 
such  a  proceeding." 

"Abf  I  see,"  rejoined  the  other  with  a  slight  start 
of  surprise.  "I  see!  I  have  overlooked  one  thing." 

Then  gazing  upon  her  fondly,  while  he  gently  took 
her  hand  and  seated  her  on  the  log,  he  continued  speak 
ing;  as  it'  from  his  train  of  thoughts,  rather  than  in  con 
nection  with  what  had  gone  before: 

"But  why  sliould  it  not  be,  dearest  Rose? — ay  why 
should  it  not  be?  We  have  been  playmates  from  child 
hood,  and  know  each  other  as  well  as  we  know  our  own 
solves.  The  time  has  come  when  you  need  a  protector; 
and  who  shall  fill  that  place  but  I?  For  years,  Rose,  I 
have  lovod  you — for  years  I  have  fancied  that  niy  love 
has  been  returned.  Why  then  should  we  longer  put  off 
the  rlay  of  our  union?  Nay,  let  us  at  once  be  united 
in  thoso  holy  bonds  which  will  bind  us  to  each  other  for 
life.  Thf.-n,  wherever  I  may  go,  you  can  follow,  without 
a"  blush  of  shame.  What  say  you,  my  Forest  Rose — shall 
I  name  the  day?" 

"As  you  will/'  replied  the  other,  modestly,  but 
frankly,  raising  her  dark  eyes,  moist  with  tears  of  joy, 
to  those  of  him  \vho  addressed  her.  "You  know  I  love 
you  Albert;  and  if  our  kind  parents  will  consent,  I  know 
no  raason  why  the  solemn  ceremony  may  not  be  perform 
ed  r.ov-  a?  well  as  at  a  future  time." 

"Let  this  then  seal  the  pledge  between  us!"  cried 
Albert,  in  an  ecstasy  bt  delight;  and  again  his  lips  were 
pi'ossed  to  those  of  the  fair  being  by  his  side. 

For  a  fow  minutes  longer  they  sat  conversing,  when, 
suddenly  looking  up,  Albert  said: 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  15 

"See!  the  sunlight  is  withdrawing  from  the  landscape 
bofore  us,  and  night  is  approaching.  Let  us  descend  to 
our  humble  i:ottage."  And  as  they  went  down  the  hill 
together,  he  continued:  "But,  Rose,  I  forgot  to  ask  you 
the  news  of  the  day,  Has  any  one  been  over  from  the 
fort?  Or  has  any  s-tranger  called  at  the  cabin?" 

"No  one,"  answered  Rose,  and  then  immediately 
added:  "Yet  stay!  there  was  a  stranger  here  soon  after 
you  left  in  the  morning.  At  first  we  were  somewhat 
alarmed,  taking  him  to  be  an  Indian,  but  on  close  inspec 
tion  we  discovered  he  was  a  white  man;  though  he  was 
completely  covered  with  skins,  and  his  face  was  tanned 
as  dark  as  an  Indian's.  He  carried  a  rifle  on  his  shoul 
der,  and  in  his  belt  was  a  tomahawk  and  knife." 

"\Vhat  did  he  ws,nt?  demanded  the  other  quickly, 
and  with  a  shade  of  uneasiness. 

"  He  merely  asked  for  a  cup  to  dip  up  some  water 
from  the  creek." 

"Did  he  seem  to  examine  the  conditions  of  the 
house?" 

"H«  looked  at  everything  closely,  and  completely 
stared  me  out  of  countenance." 

"Why  did  you  not  mention  this  before,  Rose?" 

"Why.  I  have  not  thought  of  it  since  the  man  went 
away.  IJut  why  do  you  look  so  concerned?  Is  there 
anything  remarkable  in  what  he  did?" 

"No;  but  somehow  I  fear  he  means  mischief.  There 
are  a  great  many  white  renegades  among  the  Indians; 
and  I  forr  he  may  be  one  of  this  class,  sent  out  as  a  spy, 
to  find  some  defenseless  place  where  a  few  scalps  can  be 
procured  without  much  danger  to  the  assailants.  There 
are  numbers  of  those  scouting  parties  about;  at  leat>t  it  is 
so  reported." 

"You  alarm  me!"  said  Rose,  shuddering,  and  in 
voluntarily  drawing  closer  to  the  other. 

"Did  he  seem  to  arrive  from,  or  go  toward  the  fort?" 
inquired  the  young  man. 


16  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

"No!  when  I  first  saw  him,  he  was  coming  down  the 
opposite  hill,  and  he  went  up  the  creek." 

"Where  were  father  and  William?" 

"At  work  on  the  hill-side,  plowing." 

"Did  he  not  go  near  them?" 

"No!  and  now  I  remember,  he  seemed  anxious  to 
a /old  their  observation — though  I  think  they  must  have 
seen  him." 

"This  looks  suspicious,  and  must  be  seen  to."  re 
joined  Albert,  uneasily. 

By  this  time  the  lovers  aad  reached  the  little  knoll 
on  which  stood  the  cabin;  and  bidding  Rose  go  in,  Albert 
continued  on  to  the  creek,  where  his  father  and  brother, 
having  Quit  work  for  the  day,  were  watering  the  cattle. 

Between  the  captain  and  his  eldest  bcrn  there  was 
not  that  harmony  of  feeling  that  one  could  desire  to  see 
between  father  and  son.  This  was  owing  in  a  great 
degree  to  Albert's  indolence,  as  regarded  anything  like 
labcr,  and  his  passion  for  hunting —  thus  throwing  all 
the  work  of  the  farm  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  elder 
Maywood  ind  his  younger  son,  a  stout  youth  of  nineteen. 
There  was  no  quarrel,  however  between  them — no  actu 
al  disagreement,  unless  it  were  on  the  subject  of  the 
block-house,  already  referred  ;.o;  but,  at  the  same  time, 
there  v/r.s  a  certain  reserve  and  constraint  of  manner 
toward  each  other,  when  they  met  or  were  together,  that 
•was  anything  but  pleasant  to  the  other  members  of  the 
family,  particularly  to  Rose  and  the  mother  of  Albert, 
\\ho  de?ired  above  all  things,  to  have  a  perfect  harmony 
of  feeling  between  nil  parties. 

As  Albert  approached  his  father,  who  was  standing 
on  the  bank  of  the  creek,  watching  the  cattle  drink,  the 
hitter  merely  turned  his  head  sufficiently  to  see  the  for 
mer,  and  then  without  speaking,  again  fixed  his  eyes 
upon  the  water. 

"Good  evening,  father!"  said  the  young  man,  in  a 
bland,  and  rather  deferential  tone. 


THE   FOREST   ROSE.  17 

The  captain  grunted  a  good  evening,  but  without 
again  turning  his  head,  or  changing  his  position  in  the 
slightest  degree. 

"Did  you  see  a  stranger  here  today?"  inquired 
Albert. 

"No,  1  have  no  time  to  see  strangers,"  was  the  rath 
er  suily  reply.  "It  is  enough  for  me  to  do  the  work  of 
the  farm,  without  entertaining  strolling  vagabonds.  T 
must  leave  them  to  such  as  have  leisure  to  play  the  gen 
tleman." 

"You  seem  in  a  bad  humor  tonight,  father,  and  your 
vords  contain  a  good  deal  of  bitterness,"  replied  the 
young  man.  reddening.  ''I  know  you  allude  to  me  as  the 
person  playing  the  gentleman;  though  I  am  not  so  certain 
that  the  task  1  perform  is  easier,  or  more  gentlemanly 
than  vours.  It  is  different,  and  more  to  my  liking,  and  in 
my  opinion,  full  as  profitable.  The  skins  I  have  sold  the 
past  year,  have  brought  many  a  little  luxury  for  our 
family,  which  otherwise  we  must  have  done  without." 

"Well",  returned  the  other,  in  the  same  cold  man 
ner,  "you  know  you  are  at  liberty  to  do  as  you  please; 
and  so  I  suppose  you  will  continue  your  profitable  oc 
cupation.' 

"I  certainly  shall  until  I  see  fit  to  change  it,"  re 
plied  the  other,  with  some  asperity,  vexed  in  spite  of  him 
self.  "1  know  I  am  at  liberty  to  do  as  I  please,  for  I  am 
of  ere,  and  my  own  master;  and,  if  you  feel  annoyed  at 
my  remaining  here,  I  will  take  little  Rose,  and  start  for 
a  settlement,  where  she  will  be  in  safety,  at  least." 

"Ah!  why  do  you  mention  Rose  in  particular'"  de 
manded  the  captain,  sharply,  turning  full  upon  his  son. 
"What  have  you  to  do  with  her?" 

"Musch:  we  are  engaged  to  be  married." 

"Indeed5  And  how  long  since  was  such  an  engage 
ment  entered  into?" 

"Some  half  an  hour." 

The  captain  made  no  reply  to  this,  but  turning  to 


18  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

the  cattlo,  commenced  whipping  them  out  of  the  water, 
with  a  spirit  that  showed  that  his  mind  was  not  in  a 
very  tranquil  or  enviable  state. 

"I  suppose  I  can  have  your  consent  to  the  union?" 
pursued  Albert,  following  his  father  down  the  stream 
toward  a  log  barn  that  stood  just  below  the  knoll,  where 
the  rattle  were  to  be  unyoked  and  fed. 

"Why,  you  know  ycu  are  independent  of  me  and 
can  do  as  you  please,"  was  the  reply:  "Though  I  own  I 
am  a  little  surprised  at  her  choice.  But  it  does  not 
follow  that  sensible  girls  will  always  fancy  industrious 
young  men — otherwise  your  brother  might  have  been  a 
dangerous  rival." 

"Fither!"'  exclaimed  Albert,  with  a  degree  of  ener 
gy  thai"  amounted  almost  to  fierceness.  "Father!  I  re 
spect  you — btit  I  cannot,  will  not  bear  these  slurs. 
Eithei  ycu  must  address  ni-.-  as  a  father  should  a  son, 
who  h?s  been  guilty  of  no  dishonor,  or  I  -will  go  away, 
never  re  ruturn.  I  am  sensitive,  and  you  know  it;  and 
your  sarcasm  is  harder  for  my  proud  nature  to  bear, 
than  Avould  be  a  blow  from  your  hand.  I  do  not  despise 
labor,  nor  those  who  toil;  but  the  life  of  a  husbandman 
is  uncongenial  to  my  nature,  taste,  and  education,  and  I 
will  not  follow  it,  sr.  long  as  I  can  make  a  living  in  a 
more  agreeable  way.  It  is  folly  to  suppose  that  each 
person  ci\u  pursue  the  same  occupation  with  equal  zest. 
What  suits  one  does  not  another;  and  God  has  wisely 
provided  man  with  as  many  honest  ways  of  living  as 
there  ore  varieties  of  dispositions  end  likings.  I  traverse 
the  woods,  and  kill  deer,  bears,  panthers  and  sometimes 
a  buffalo:  and  I  find  a  ready  market  for  their  skins  with 
the  traders  who  make  their  annual  and  semi-annual 
rounds  at  the  larger  settlements,  and  wtih  the  pro 
ceeds  r  purchase  tea,  tobacco,  salt  and  such  stuffs  for 
clothing  as  are  useful  in  the  family.  All  these  things  I 
bring  home — reserving  nothing  for  myself  but  what  is 
absolutely  necessary — such  as  powder,  lead,  and  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  19 

like.  This!  is  labor;  and  I  do  not  see  why  it  should  not 
bo  considered  as  useful  as  plov/ing,  planting,  or  hoeing. 
Nor  is  this  all.  While  you  and  my  brother  supply  the 
family  with  vegetables,  potatoes  and  grain,  I  supply  them 
with  the  best  meat  the  forest  affords.  Now  say,  father, 
do  I  not  do  my  share?" 

"If  you  think  so,  I  suppose  it  is  all  right,"  replied 
the  other  doggedly, 

Tho  young  hunter  turned  away,  with  a  vexed  and 
rather  grieved  expression  of  countenance;  but  after 
having  gone  a  few  f.teps,  he  suddenly  stopped,  and  return 
ing  to  his  father,  earnestly  inquired: 

"You  say  you  did  not  see  a  stranger  here  today?" 

"I  have  said  so.  Shall  I  declare  it  mere  positively, 
and  for  the  third  time?  or  will  two  declarations  to  that 
effect  be  deemed  sufficient?  " 

"But  there  has  been  one  here  father,"  pursued 
Albert,  chafing  at  the  other's  manner  and  language,  yet 
striving  to  keep  down  his  hasty  and  rising  temper,  "for 
Rose  told  me  so." 

"Well,  \vhnt  if  there  has!  I  see  nothing  remarkable 
in  it."  was  the  cold  response. 

'  Nothing  remarkable,  perhaps,  though  there  may  be 
something  dangerous  in  it,  judging  from  what  Rose  said  • 
of  the  fellow's  appearance  and  actions." 

"You  are  always  fancying  danger,"  replied  the  cap- 
ta'n,  entering  the  rude  barn  to  bring  out  some  feed  for 
his  cattle,  which  he  had  by  this  time  unyoked  and  turned 
loose  in  a  picketed  yard,  where  stood  also  some  fifteen  or 
twenty  cows,  with  half  the  number  of  sheep,  and  foui'  or 
five  horses — all  of  which  had  come  in,  as  was  their  cus 
tom,  to  be  out  of  the  way  of  the  wolves.  "Yes,  you  are 
fancying  danger,"  he  repeated,  as  he  reappeared  with  a 
few  ears  of  corn  and  an  armful  of  hay,  "But  what  dan 
ger  do  you  apprehend  now?" 

"V'hy,  I  fear  this  fellow  may  be  a  white  renegade, 
acting  c,s  a  spy  for  the  Indians;  and  something  tells  me 


20  THE  FOREST   ROSE. 

that  danger  is  lurking  near.'' 

"Pshaw!  I  have  no  fear  whatever.  We  have  been 
here  over  two  years  now;  and  if  the  Indians  meditated 
an  attack,  we  should  have  had  it  before  this." 

"It  does  not  follow,  father,  for  there  are  no  Indians 
in  this  quarter;  and  our  cabin  being  retired,  as  one  may 
say,  from  their  usual  war-paths,  they  may  not  have 
discovered  us.  But  depend  upon  it,  when  they  do,  in 
nocent  blood  will  be  shed,  unless  we  take  the  proper 
precautions  to  guard  against  it.  Oh!  father  suppose  a 
party  of  scouting  Indians  should  come  down  upon  us 
suddenly,  while  you  and  William  were  at  work  in  the 
field,  and  murder  mother,  Rose  and  sister  Mary!  Oh, 
my  God!"  he  purrued,  shuddering  at  the  thought,  "it 
would  be  awful,  awful!" 

"Yes,  we  can  suppose  a  great  many  awful  calami 
ties."  returned  the  other;  "but  since  we  are  supposing, 
why  is  it  not  just  as  easy  to  suppose  we  shall  not  be 
molested  at  all — by  far  the  most  reasonable,  in  my 
opinion,  and  certainly  the  most  agreeable,  supposition  of 
UIP  TWO.  But  what  do  you  propose?  for  I  see  you  have 
some  proposition  to  make." 

"Why  if  you  would  but  act  upon  my  suggestion,  we 
could  very  soon  have  a  block-house  erected,  contiguous 
to  the  cabin,  on  the  same  knoll,  with  a  picketed  passage 
from  one  to  the  other,  and  a  heavy  door  to  the  former;  so 
tbat.  in  rase  of  surprise,  the  females  could  retreat  within 
there,  and  be  safe  till  alarm  might  be  given,  and  assist 
ance  procured." 

"Harping  on  the  same  old  subject  yet,  I  see,"  re 
turned  the  other.  "I  tell  you,  Albert,  it  is  all  foolishness, 
and  I  will  not  hear  to  it.  People  may  laugh  at  me  for 
my  thoory  regarding  the  savages,  as  much  as  they  please; 
they  may  call  me  insane,  if  they  like,  as  I  have  heard 
*hey  have  niore  than  onue  done  already;  but  I  have  put 
my  theory  in  practice,  tried  it  for  two  years  and  over, 
and  I  see  less  reason  to  change  it  now  than  ever.  People 


THE   FOREST   ROSE.  21 

said  we  should  all  be  murdered  within  six  months;  but 
we  aro  ::11  living  yet,  aiid  likely  to  continue  so,  so  far  as 
the  savages  are  concerned." 

"God  send  we  may!"  returned  Albert;  but  somehow 
I  have  iny  fears.  At  all  events,  if  you  will  take  no  pre 
cautions  for  safety,  I  shall  take  the  liberty  of  removing 
Fo<58  t  >  seme  fortified  place — and  that  so  soon  as  she  is 
my  wife." 

"Of  course  you  can  do  what  you  please  with  your 
own  wife,"  rejoined  his  father;  "and  if  you  are  afraid  to 
remain  here,  no  doubt  it  will  be  a  prudent  move." 

"For  myself/'  replied  Albert,  his  eyes  flashing  with 
:  ill-s'ippre?sed  auger,  "I  have  no  fear;  but  the  man  who 
wantonly  risks  the  life  of  a  wife,  mother,  and  child,  to 
gratify  a  foolish  caprice,  I  hold  responsible  for  their  safe 
ty;  and  if  harm  befall  them,  through  his  wilful  negli 
gence,  J  shall  consider  their  blood  upon  his  head!" 

Saying  this,  and  without  waiting  a  reply,  Albert 
strode  away,  ascending  the  knoll,  and  in  no  very  amiable 
mood,  entered  the  humble  cabin. 

"I  can  do  nothing  with  father,"  whispered  the 
youug  innn  to  Rose;  "but  tomorrow  early  I  will  set  off 
•  on  the  stranger's  trail." 

'.'Ah!  dear  Albert,  I  fear  to  let  you  go — for  you 
might  fall  in  with  the  enemy,  if  enemy  it  is,  and  be  kill 
ed  or  ^i-ptured." 

"Fear  not,  my  Forest  Rose;  for  the  lessons  I  have 
had  from  that  daring  hunter,  Lewis  Wetzel,  have  well 
prepared  me  for  the  duty  I  shall  have  to  perform.  Fear 
not  for  me;  but  do  not  venture  out  of  doors  cftener  than 
is  absolutely  necessary  during  the  day,  as  somehow  I 
have  a  strange  presentiment  of  danger." 

The  entrance  of  the  captain  here  put  an  end  to  all 
further  conversation  for  the  time  being;   and,  carefully 
putting   away   his   rifle   the   young  man   prepared    him 
self  to  partake  of  the   frugal  repast  which   his  mother 
.  now  announced  to  be  ready. 


22  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Hunters. 

The  wilderness,  like  the  ocean,  has  its  grandeur,, 
beauty,  and  sublimity.  The  boundless  expanse  of  woods, 
and  the  boundless  expanse  of  waters,  inspire  much  the 
same  feeling  of  awe  in  him  who  is  alone  in  the  depths 
of  the  one  or  alone  on  the  bosom  of  the  other.  Both 
speak,  in  a  voiceless  language,  of  the  great  Framer  and 
Maker;  and  man,  alone,  in  solitude,  with  no  human  be 
ing  near,  is  strikingly  impressed  with  his  own  littleness 
and  insignificance  when  compared  with  the  mightiness  of 
what  surrounds  him. 

Probably  there  is  no  spot  in  the  universe  where  man 
can  be  placed  so  calculated  to  inspire  him  with  lofty  con 
templation  as  in  the  depths  of  the  great  primitive  for 
ests  of  America.  Here  he  is  literally  alone  with  nature 
and  nature's  God;  no  human  habitation  near;  no  jarring 
sounds  -jf  human  discord  to  distract  his  thoughts  or  dis 
turb  the  quiet  harmony  of  all  around  him. 

Thus  at  least  thought  our  hero,  as  ne  stood  leaning 
against  a  laige  old  beech  tree,  with  the  barrel  of  his 
faithful  rifle  resting  in  the  hollow  of  his  left  arm  and 
the  breach  on  the  ground,  surveying  a  scene  almost 
matchless  for  quiet  beauty  and  solemn  grandeur.  It 
was  a  level  tract  of  country,  covered  with  giant  trees 
that  had  stood  for  centuries,  whose  huge  trunks  seemed 
to  rise  like  pillars  of  a  great  temple  expressly  to  support 
the  Gothic  canopy  of  leaves  overhead,  through  which, 
thou&h  broad  noonday,  scarcely  a  single  ray  of  the  warm 
meridian  sun  penetrated.  At  this  precise  spot  there  was 
little  or  no  undergrowth;  and  the  eye  could  range 
through  long  vistas  or  avenues  of  trees,  in  every  direc 
tion,  till  lost  in  the  distance.  Occasionally,  from  the 
boughs  of  a  mighty  tree,  depended  a  long,  beautiful  grape 
vine,  as  if  for  tasselings  to  those  green  coverings  of 
nature,  or  as  figured  gateways  to  those  close  a  vista. 

Tt   was  just  the  season   of   the  year,   too,   to  make- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  23 

everything  look  beautiful.  The  leaves  varied  in  their 
shades  of  green,  and  many  colored  blossoms  mingled 
with  thorn,  as  if  to  show  how  far  the  works  of  nature 
cat*  surpass  the  art  of  mail  in  all  that  is  most  fascinating 
to  the  eye.  Dark  green  grass  had  sprung  up,  covering 
the  .;arth  with  a  soft  carpet,  and  biding  the  decaying 
leaves  of  the  old  year;  and  lifting  their  pretty  faces 
above  the  -^reen  blade,  were  te:i  thousand  wild  flowers,  of 
;a!l  varieties  and  colors.  In  fact,  the  spot  had  more  the 
appearance  of  an  enchanted  ground — the  abode  of  fairies 
— than  of  an  absolute  wilderness  of  terror,  where  steal 
thy  savages  lurked,  and  wild  beasts  prowled. 

Save  the  deep,  solmen  roar  of  the  forest,  which  none 
who  have  heard  can  ever  forget,  all  would  be  still  for  a 
time;  and  then  some  feathered  songster  would  pour 
forth  ite  artlf-ss  strain,  and  a  thousand  others  would  join 
in,  as  if  in  chorus.  Then  there  would  be  a  fluttering 
among  the  leaves,  and  hundreds  of  bright  plumed  birds 
would  shoot,  through  the  air,  as  if  to  change  places  with 
one  another  Then  for  a  moment  all  would  be  still 
arain.  Then  tap,  tap,  would  sound  the  wood-pecker, 
and  suddenly  more  than  fifty  squirrels  would  dart  along 
the  ground,  in  every  direction,  and  up  the  trunks  of 
trees,  where  they  would  pause  to  look  around  them — 
half  in  fear  and  half  in  defiance — and  then  would  quick 
ly  disappear  into  the  tree-tops,  perhaps  to  repeat  the 
same  scone  a  few  minutes  later.  Then  hop,  hop  would 
come  P.  rrbbit,  with  his  ears  erect,  ready  to  catch  the 
slightest  sound  of  danger,  and  halting,  ever  and  anon. 
wouM  suddenly  dart  away  and  disappear.  Then  the 
forest  would  roar  louder,  and  the  breeze  would  freshen, 
and  the  leaves  would  rustle,  and  the  birds  would  flutter, 
and  sing,  and  the  squirrels  would  chirrup  and  dart  down 
the  trees,  and  away  in  every  direction,  and  up  others, 
and  the  whole  wood  for  a  short  time  would  seem  alive. 
Tnen  all  would  gradually  die  away,  and  nothing  but  the 
•deep,  far-off,  solemn  roar  would  be  heard,  like  the  dis- 


24  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

tant  sound  of  the  ocean  waves,  or  some  mighty  cataract, 
filling  the  mind  with  a  grand,  exalted  solemnity. 

For  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  Albert  stood 
motionless,  as  we  have  described  him,  watching  the 
movements  of  the  animal  and  feathered  tribes,  listening 
to  the  various  sounds,  but  with  his  mind  dwelling  on 
other  and  more  serious  matters.  He  had  followed  the 
t7-ail  of  the  stranger  to  this  place — a  distance  of  six  or 
eight  miles  from  the  cabin — and  as  it  still  led  off  further 
i?ito  the  great  forset  he  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that 
it  might  be  that  of  a  peaceable  hunter  and  consequently 
had  resolved  to  pursue  it  no  longer. 

Although  living  in  the  wilderness  for  a  couple  of 
years,  Albert  had  fortunately  escaped  falling  in  with 
hostile  Indians;  yet  he  had  more  than  once  been  in  com 
pany  with  a  celebrated  Indian  hunter  from  whom  he 
had  learned  much  valuable  information,  not  only  in  re 
gard  to  the  customs  and  habits  of  the  savages,  and  the 
manner  of  trailing  them,  but  also  in  regard  to  the  gen 
eral  science  of  the  forest — if  we  may  be  permitted  the 
expression — for  that  it  is  a  science,  and  no  trifling  one, 
we  think  none  who  have  been  familiar  with  a  thorough 
bred  woodsman,  witness  his  movements  or  ever  heard  him 
relate  his  adventure,  will  seek  to  deny. 

Tn  this  way,  and  through  constant  practice  also 
Albert  had  become,  in  appearance,  habits  and  knowl 
edge,  what  he  professed  to  be  an  accomplished  hunter, 
so  far  as  the  term  mav  be  expressive  of  one  who  had 
never  been  engaged  in  stratagem  or  deadly  conflict  with 
the  native  red  man  of  the  woods. 

He  wore  a,  green  hunting  frock,  the  skirt  of  which 
reached  a  little  more  than  half-way  from  the  hip  to  the 
knees.  To  this,  unlike  most  hunting-frocks  of  that 
period,  there  was  no  cape,  with  fringe  of  different  col 
ors — but  around  the  neck,  along  the  edges,  and  around 
the  wrists,  was  a  narrow  binding  of  black,  fancifully 
set  off  with  devices  of  beads,  which,  having  been' 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  25 

wrought  there  by  the  fair  fingers  of  little  Rose  Forester, 
had  a  value  in  the  eyes  of  Albert  far  beyond  that  of 
mere  ornament.  The  coat,  too,  fitted  the  handsome  form 
of  the  wearer  neatly,  and  displayed  the  outlines  of  his 
straight,  tall  symmetrical  figure  to  the  best  advantage. 
Around  his  waist  was  buckled  a  dark  leather  belt,  on 
v.-hich  were  distinctly  worked  initials  of  his  name  with 
beads,  and  by  the  same  fair  hand  that  had  placed  them 
on  his  ooat.  A  sheath  to  this  belt,  on  the  left  side,  con 
tained  a  long  knife,  with  a  buck-horn  handle,  pro 
truding  ready  to  the  hand.  Over  the  coat,  and  under 
the  left  arm,  hung  the  powder-horn  and  bullet-pouch. 
The  breast  of  the  coat  was  made  rather  full,  and  con 
tained  a  large  pocket,  in  which  were  carried  flint,  steel, 
spunk,  jerk,  corn-bread,  and  such  other  little  notions 
as  might  be  found  useful  in  case  the  young  man  should 
take  a  fancy  to  camp  in  the  woods — a  thing  he  rarely 
did.  and  for  reasons  already  mentioned.  Buckskin 
breeofct"3,  with  leggins  and  moccasins  of  the  same  com 
pleted  his  nether  dress;  and  a  cap,  made  from  the  skin 
of  some  wild  animal,  with  the  hair  on,  covered  his  head. 

Wh:le  standing  there,  lost  in  a  kind  of  reverie..  Al 
bert  felt  a  hand  upon  his  shoulder;  and,  as  may  natural 
ly  be  conjectured,  he  made  a  bound  forward,  clutching 
his  rifle  almost  convulsively,  and,  with  all  the  dexterity 
he  was  master  of,  turning  it  upon  his  supposed  enemy. 
But  the  latter  had  taken  care  to  place  the  trunk  of  the 
beech  between  himself  and  the  other,  so  that  nothing  of 
his  person  was  visible;  and  as  Albert,  more  rash  than 
wise,  ran  around  the  tree  to  get  a  sight  of  him,  he  avoid 
ed  being  seen,  ny  moving  around  the  trunk  also,  in  per 
fect  time  with  the  other,  as  the  center  of  a  wheel  re 
volves  with  the  circumference.  In  vain  Albert  went  fast- 
•er  or  slowed — turned  back  suddenly,  or  suddenly  darted 
ahead — he  could  only  get  a  glimpse  of  the  garments  of 
his  strange  antagonist.  What  he  did  see  led  him  to  be- 
iieve  it  was  an  Indian;  for  he  appeared  to  be  covered 


25  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

with  untanned  skins,  worn  with  their  hair  outside.  A.t 
length,  wearied  with  his  attempts  to  get  a  full  view  of 
the  stranger.  Albert  poised  his  rifle,  and  commenced 
backing  slcwly  toward  a  large  ash.  Just  as  he  reached  it 
he  saw  what  he  fancied  the  head  of  the  other  protruding 
beyond  the  tree,  as  if  to  get  a  glance  at  his  own  position; 
and,  already  to  take  advantage  rf  the  least  thing  in  his 
favor,  he  fired  on  the  instant. 

But  instead  of  a  uroan,  as  he  had  expected,  a  low, 
quiet  laugh  Mas  the  response  to  his  skill  as  a  marksman. 
The  next  moment  the  stranger  deliberately  stepped  from 
behind  the  tree,  and  holding  his  cap  in  his  hand,  pointed 
to  the  bullet-hole  in  the  crown,  and  said,  with  a  laugh: 

''Young  man,  you're  some  at  a  shot;  but  you've  got 
a  heap  to  larn  afora  you  git  to  be  master  o'  the  woods." 

The  speaker  was  a  large, muscular,  bony-framed  man. 
from  thirty  to  fi/e-and-thirtj  years  of  age.  He  was  some 
two  inches  taller  than  our  hero,  being  not  less  than  six 
*eet  in  height,  and  of  a  build  which,  without  being  in  the 
least  symmetrical,  gave  indications  of  great  physcal 
strength  and  considerable  activity.  His  shoulders  were 
board  and  a  little  rounded — so  that  his  head  was  thrown 
forward  beyond  th»-  line  of  the  perpendicular.  His  arms 
and  legs  were  rather  long  for  beauty;  but  the  latter  were 
none  too  long  for  service,  as  on  more  than  one  occasion 
they  had  demonstrated  to  his  satisfaction,  when  a  pant 
ing  and  blood  thirsty  foe  was  in  pursuit.  His  skin,  nat 
urally  dark,  nad  been  so  tanned  by  the  constant  expo 
sure,  as  to  give  it  hue  not  much  removed  from  that  of  a 
native  Indian  when  seen  without  paint.  His  features 
were  bold  and  coarse.  The  face  was  long  and  rather 
thin,  with  a  large  nose,  and  prominent  cheek  bones.  His 
hair  and  eyes  were  black — the  latter  rather  small,  keen, 
and  intelligent.  The  whole  countenance  had  a  singular 
mixture  of  frankness,  deceit,  good  nature,  and  ferocity; 
and  these  conflicting  expressions  clearly  indicated  his 
character — the  good  prevailing  toward  his  friends— the 
bad  toward  his  foes.  His  attachments  were  strong  and 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  27 

lasting,  and  his  dislikes  were  bitter  and  vindictive — the 
former  belong  to  his  own  race  or  color,  which  vvas 
white — the  latter  to  hi&  mortal  foe,  the  red  man,  to 
whom  he  was  never  known  to  show  mercy. 

The  custom  of  this  singular  personage  was  in  keep 
ing  with  his  peculiarities — being  a  mixture  of  the  whites 
and  savages.  Ho  wore  a  hunting  frock  of  coarse  stuff, 
with  trimmings  of  wampum,  and  sleeves  of  panther  skin, 
with  the  hair  outside — tKose  which  originally  belonged 
•to  it  having  evidently  been  worn  out,  and  these  coarsely 
sewed  on  as  substitutes  Around  his  waist  was  a  wam 
pum  belt,  through  a  couple  of  slits  in  which  were  stuck 
a  knife  and  t.Le  handle  of  a  tomahawk — the  steel  in  both 
bases  being  bire.  To  this  belt,  also,  were  attached  sev 
eral  Indian  scalps — trophies  of  his  victory  over  his  mor 
tal  foe.  His  logs  were  encased  in  skins,  rudely  sewed  to 
gether,  with  the  hair  outside;  and  on  his  feet  he  wore 
the  usual  moccasin  of  the  hunter.  The  only  parts  of  his 
person  which  were  completely  bare  were  his  hands,  face, 
and  neck,  a  portion  of  his  breast,  from  which  the  coat 
was  thrown  bask,  as  if  for  greater  freedom  and  expan 
sion.  There  was  apparently  little  in  his  appearance  pre 
possessing  or  attractive;  but  no  sooner  did  young  May- 
wood  hear  his  voice,  and  get  a  distinct  view  of  his  per 
son,  than  he  sprang  forward,  with  hand  extended,  ex 
claim:  ng: 

"Why,  Lewis  Wetzel,  who  in  the  deuce  could  think 
of  its  being  you1  I  was  certain  some  painted  scoundrel 
of  the  woods  was  after  my  scalp  " 

"You  put  it  in  a  powerful  unsafe  place,  then."  ob 
served  the  other,  giving  the  young  man  a  good-natured 
grip  with  his  horny  hand  "A  powerful  unsafe  place,  I 

tell  ye leanirg  up  aein  that  tree  thar,  with  all  the 

idees  inside  ont'c,  traveling  the  Lord  knows  whar.  Why, 
o.f  you'd  bin  a  red  nigger  now,  I'd  bin  as  sartin  to  hev 
had  that  thar  top-knot  hangin'  to  my  girdle  afore  this, 
as  I  am  to  he«/  a  hole  through  this  here  wild-cat,"  point- 
•ing  to  hid  cap,  whi^h  was  little  more  than  the  skin  of  one 


28  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

of  these  animals,  stuffed  to  resemble  life,  with  an  open 
ing  in  the  lower  side  just  large  enough,  and  deep  enough 
to  admit  the  owner's  head  a  few  inches.  "It  won't  do, 
lad — It  won't  do,"  he  continued,  reprovingly.  "Ef  all 
I've  told  ye,  and  showed  ye,  only  comes  to  this,  it  'ud  be 
best  you  didn't  know  nothiti,'  and  then  maybe  you'd  hev 
sense  enough  to  stick  to  the  settlements.  You  may  shoot 
well,  bet  you're  powerful  near-sighted,  and  hard  'o 
hearin',  whei-  tha's  danger  about." 

"But  I  was  not  dreaming  of  a  surprise:"  returned 
Albert,  ''and  so  of  course  was  not  on  my  guard." 

"No,  you  warn't  dreamin'  of  a  surprise,  maybe — but 
you  wac  o'  suinthin'  else — which  I  toll  ye,  Albert,  won't 
do  in  the  .woods.  Now  I  seed  you  for  ten  minute?  afore  I 
touched  ye;  ;md  half  o'  that  time  I  had  Kill-nigger  here 
(holding  up  a  long,  beautiful  rifle)  bearin'  right  on  ye, 
afore  I  could  see  your  face.  'Spose  now  I'd  bin  a  Shaw- 
nee,  arter  scalps — or  you'd  a  bin  one  o'  them  animals 
yourself — why.  you'd  a  bin  cold  meat  long  afore  this." 

"But  how  ha.ppened  you  to  find  me,  friend  Wetsel?" 

"Why.  partly  in  the  way  o'  business,  and  partly  by 
way  o'  accident.  I's  ft  shapin  my  tracks  over  this  a-\vay, 
when,  at  Ooonav  Creek,  'bout  five  mile  off,  I  fell  on  to  the 
trail  of  a  small  party  of  the  inimy;  and  I  followed  on  in 
the  hopes  o'  gitting  a  chance  to  raise  thar  hair;  but  so 
fur  I've  been  disappointed.  About  two  hundred  yards 
from  here  I  lost  thar  trail;  and  while  hunting  for  it  I 
spied  you;  and  makin'  you  out  to  be  Albert  May  wood,  I 
thought  I'd  just:  drop  down  and  take  you  along — arter 
Id  had  a  HUle  sport  first — bein'  as  how  the  trail  leads 
\our  way." 

'My  way'  Good  heavens!  what  do  you  men?"  oriert 
Albert,  in  alarm,  seizing  an  arm  of  the  other,  and  look 
ing  earnestly  into  his  face. 

Why,  it's  jest  so,  and  thar  arn't  no  use  to  deny  it," 
replied  "VVetzel,  cooly.  "I've  follered  the  varmints  from 
Coony  Creek,  as  I  said  afore,  and  they've  come  straight 
iiere;  and  if  they've  gone  straight  on  they'll  not  pass  far  • 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  29 

from  your  house,  one  side  or  t'other." 

"By  heavens!  then  let  us  follow  them  with  all 
haste!"  cried  Albert,  greatly  excited.  "Something  tells 
me  they  have  gone  down  to  murder  our  family.  Oh,  Cod! 
if  such  be  the  case  I  shall  go  mad!  Come,  come — we 
mvst  not  stand  idle  here,  and  our  friends  in  danger!  Lead 
the  way,  Lewis — lead  the  way — quick,  in  the  name  of 
humanity!" 

The  other  immediately  set  off  on  one  of  those  pecu 
liar  Indian  lopes,  for  which  he  was  remarkable;  and 
which,  though  he  did  not  appear  to  run  fast,  required  all 
the  cthoi's  agility  to  keep  him  company.  On  reaching 
the  spot  where  the  trail  was  broken  the  two  hunters 
commenced  an  eager  search  for  it.  The  cause  of  its  be 
ing  broken  was  apparent  at  a  single  glance  to  one  as 
\voll  skilled  in  Indian  stratagem  as  Lewis  Wetzel.  A 
long  grapevine  hung  suspended  from  a  large  oak;  and  it 
was  evident  that  the  savages,  either  knowing  they  were, 
or  fearing  they  might  be  pursued,  had  each  in  turn  used 
this  as  a  swing  to  set  themselves  several  feet  in  advance, 
without  leaving  the  print  of  a  moccasin  upon  the  earth. 
A.I  the  orestrit  party  had  to  do,  therefore,  was  to  beat 
around  a  circle  of  less  than  fifty  feet  in  diameter  till 
they  found  it. 

With  men  as  eager  on  the  search  as  were  our  hun 
ters,  this  did  not  occupy  many  minutes,  and  Wetzel  soon 
exclaimed: 

"Here  it  is.  as  I'm  a  white  gintleman,  and  the  dev 
ils  head  off  jest  as  I  feared." 

"On,  then,  in  the  name  of  God,"  cried  young  May- 
wood,  almost  wild  with  excitement.  "There  is  no  need 
of  our  following  the  trail  any  longer,  since  its  direction 
is  so  clearly  indicated.  On,  on  to  the  cabin  in  all  haste, 
and  God  send  we  may  be  in  time  to  protect  its  inmates!" 

Both  started  off  again  at  the  same  rapid  pace;  and 
though  difficult  to  hold  conversation,  a  short  dialogue 
was  maintained  between  the  parties. 


30  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

"I  have  been  fearful  of  this  for  the  last  twenty-four 
hours  "  pursued  Albert,  soliloquizing  aloud,  as  much  as 
addressing  the  other. 

"Why  so?"  Asked  Wetzel  in  some  surprise,  partly 
turning  his  head,  for  he  was  somewhat  in  advance,  but 
without  ir.  the  least  slackening  his  speed.  "How  could 
you  be  fearful  of  a  thing  you  didn't  know  nothin'  about?" 

'  In  the  first  place,  I  had  a  presentiment  of  It." 

'A  what."  demanded  the  other. 

"A  presentiment." 

"What's  that?" 

"A  forewarning  of  the  mind — a  dread  of  a  calamity 
that  comes  over  one  with  almost  the  power  of  reality." 

"Yes.  yes — I've  got  the  idee  now,  clar  as  a  niggar's 
trail  what  runs  rough-shod!  Go  ahead." 

"I  say,  in  the  first  place,  I  had  a  presentiment, 
which  lasted  me  all  yesterday,  so  as  to  destroy  my  pas 
sion  for  hunting:  and  on  conversing  with  little  Rose  in 
the  evening  I  learned  there  had  been  a  stranger  to  the 
cabin  during  the  day,  whose  appearance  and  actions,  as 
described  by  her,  led  me  to  think  him  a  renegade,  act 
ing  as  a  spy  for  the  Indians;  and  this  morning  I  set 
off  on  his  trail,  which  I  followed  to  the  spot  where  you 
found  me." 

"I'll  bet  ten  scalps  to  a  pint  of  whisky,"  returned 
the  other,  "that  the  same  chap  you've  trailed  is  in  this 
here  party;  for  thar't  a  moccasin  among  'em  as  toes 
out-^rd,  a  thing  a  native  don't  never  do." 

"And  how  many  do  you  suppose  there  are  in  this 
par'v?"  inquired  Albert. 

"I  mode  out  four — three  Injins  and  this  other  devil." 

'Then  I  have  hope,"  said  Albert,  "for  the  party  be 
ing  small,  they  would  hardly  venture  an  attack  in  broad 
daylight." 

The  conversation  ended  here,  but  the  hunters  still 
pursued  their  way  with  unabated  zeal,  and  at  the  same 
rapid  pace. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE.  31 

Aboul  a  mile  from  where  they  set  out,  the  ground, 
•which  had  thus  far  been  level  as  a  floor,  gradually  be 
came  rough,  broken  and  hilly,  so  that  tLeir  speed  was 
somewhat  impaired.  Still  their  progress  was  by  no  means 
slow;  and  in  a  little  over  an  hour,  all  panting  from  fa 
tigue,  rbey  ascended  the  hill  whereon  Albert  and  Rose 
had  met  the  previous  evening,  and  which,  as  the  reader 
will  remomber,  commanded  a  view  of  the  valley  in 
\\hich  Captain  Maywood  had  located  his  dwelling. 

As  the  two  hunters  burst  through  the  bushes  simul 
taneously  to  the  clearing,  where  there  was  nothing  to 
obstruct  the  vision,  both  uttered  exclamations  of  horror 
at  the  same  moment;  and,  reeling  like  a  drunken  man, 
Albert  staggered  against  Wetzel,  who,  catching  him  in 
his  hugp  arms,  gave  a  friendly  support  to  his  half- 
fainting  form. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Living  and  the  Dead. 

The  sight  which  greeted  Albert,  on  emerging  from 
the  forest  to  the  clearing,  was  one  well  calculated  to 
affect  him  seriously,  evep  had  he  been  an  entire  stranger, 
with  no  interest  in  the  scene  before  him  beyond  the 
natural  sympathy  which  one  human  being  feels  for  an 
other  when  overtaken  by  some  awful,  heart-rendering 
calamity;  but  with  one  so  deeply  connected  with  what 
he  now  beheld,  it  was  a  sight  to  ireeze  his  blood  and  de 
prive  his  limbs  of  power  to  support  him.  The  cabin  and 
the  barn  were  heaps  of  smoking  ruins,  and  lying  in  front 
of  the  former,  scalpless  and  gory,  he  could  distinguish 
two  forms,  which  he  at  once  recognized  as  his  father  and 
brother.  The  sight  sickened  and  made  him  faint;  and 
for  a  couple  of  minutes  he  reclined  in  the  arms  of  Wet- 
zol,  who  gazed  gloomily  upon  the  scene  before  him,  but 
without  uttering  a  single  word. 

Albert  was  the  first  to  speak.  Starting  upright 
with  a  sort  of  spasmodic  effort,  he  stretched  his  hands 


22  THE  FOREST  ROSE. 

before  him,  and  in  a  voice  that  seemed  to  issue  from 
the  very  depths  of  his  soul,  ejaculated: 

"Oh,  God!  my  presentiment  is  realized — and  all  I 
love  on  earth  are  murdered!" 

Saying  this.,  he  bowed  his  head  in  bis  hands,  and 
sank  down  upon  the  earth  ,  as  one  who  could  no  longer 
endure  the  sight  and  the  terrible  agony  it  caused. 

Wetzel  drew  his  rough  hand  hastily  across  his 
eyes,  and  then,  with  a  rude  attempt  at  consolation,  said: 

"Don't  give  up  everything  afore  you're  sartin, 
Master  Alnert.  it's  may  be  not  so  bad  as  it  looks;  and 
it's  not  onlikely  these  here  hell-hounds  hev  took  some 
prisoners —  and  the  women  may  be  livin'.  Come,  cheer 
up!  aTid  let's  go  and  see." 

"It  is  possible!"  cried  Albert,  wildly,  springing  to 
hip  feat,  as  a  ray  of  hope  flashed  through  his  mind  that 
his  mother  and  sister,  and  last,  though  by  no  means 
least,  his  Forest  Rose,  might  have  been  spared  and  taken 
awa}r  captives.  "It  is  possible  you  are  right,  Lewis,  but 
we  will  soon  know;  and  if  wrong  in  your  conjecture,  I 
have  but  one  favor  to  ask." 

"What's  that?"  inquired  the  other,  as  the  two  start 
ed  down  the  hill  together. 

"That  you  will  turn  Indian  fcr  the  once,  and  send 
my  spiiit  after  theirs." 

"What!"  cried  the  other,  with  flashing  eyes, 
"you'd  die  without  revenge  on  these  here  imps  of  Satin?" 

"No,  no.  Lewis — I  had  forgotten  that.  Yes,  I  see 
— I  must  live  to  avenge  my  murdered  friends." 

'In  course  you  must,  lad — in  course  you  must; 
and  count  on  me  to  help  ye;  and  here's  my  hand,  Mas 
ter  Albert,  with  my  honor  pledged,  that  not  a  single  one 
of  all  the  cusses  shall  escape  to  tell  thar  doin's." 

"So  help  me  heaven!"  cried  Albert,  seizing  the  ex 
tended  hand  of  the  hunter;  "I  swear  to  pursue  them, 
without  mercy,  till  either  they  or  I  have  ceased  to  exist." 

By  this  time  the  party  had  reached  the  foot  of  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  33 

hill;  and  ascending  the  knoll,  Albert  came  upon  the 
bloody  remains  of  his  father.  He  was  lying  on  his 
face,  deo,d,  with  the  scalp  torn  from  his  head,  present 
ing  a  horrible  spectacle.  On  turning  him  over  it  was 
found  a  bullet  had  penetrated  bis  heart — doubtless  sped 
from  some  covert  foe  as  he  was  leaving  his  dwelling. 

As  Albert  gazed  upon  his  mangled  remains,  and 
remembered  the  last  conversation  they  had  held,  to 
gether  Ihe  evening  previous,  he  could  not  avoid  the  ex 
clamation: 

'Alas,  dear  father,  thou  art  the  victim  to  misplaced 
confidence'  We  parted  ^almost  in  anger — but  God  for 
give  thee  all  thy  faults,  as  I  do;'  and  he  turned  away, 
with  ?  burst  of  grief,  only  to  let  his  eyes  fall  upon  the 
gory  corpse  of  his  brother,  who  had  also  been  shot  and 
scalped. 

This  last  sight  seemed  to  unnerve  him;  and  sinking 
down  upon  the  earth  he  took  the  cold  hand  of  the  dead  in 
his  own.  and  gave  way  to  a  paroxysm  of  sorrow  and 
lamentation. 

"I  can  go  no  further,"  he  said  to  Wetzel,  who  stood 
bv  his  side,  gazing  upon  him  compassionately — neither, 
as  it  would  seem,  from  some  secret  dread  of  finding  their 
worst  fears  confirmed,  having  as  yet  ventured  to  search 
among  the  smoking  ruins  for  the  remains  of  others  of  the 
family.  '  1  CMI  go  no  further;  I  can  bear  to  see  no  more; 
and  vet  I  am  in  an  agony  of  suspense.  Go  you,  my 
friend — look  among  the  smoking  pile,  and  tell  me  what 
you  POO." 

And  as  the  other  turned  away,  he  continued  in  a 
kind  of  soliloquy: 

"Oh,  ray  mother!  rnv  sister!  and  little  Rose! — 
where  are  you  now?  on  earth  or  in  heaven?  Oh.  God! 
support  me  to  learn  their  fate!"  and  dropping  the  cold 
hand  of  his.  brother,  he  again  covered  his  face,  and 
rooked  to  and  fro,  in  agony  of  grief  beyond  the  power 
of  language  to  e-xpress. 


34 

In  a  few  minutes  Wetzel  returned  and  stood  silently 
by  his  side,  his  coarse,  weather-beaten  features  wearing 
an  expression  of  heavy  gloom  and  heart-felt  compas.- 
sion.  For  several  moments  young  Maywood  did  not  ap 
pear  to  notice  him,  but  kept  rocking  to  and  fro,  and 
moaning  piteously.  Then  suddenly  looking  up,  he  ex 
claimed* 

"Well!  well!  well! — speak  are  they  there?" 

"Pe  a  man,"  returned  the  other,  evasively,  "and 
come  with  me  and  get  your  revenge." 

"But  you  did  not  answer  me,"  cried  the  other, 
springing  to  his  feet,  seizing  Wetzel  by  the  arm,  and  look 
ing  wildlv  into  his  face.  "You  did  not  answer  me.  Yet 
I  am  answered  by  your  evasion.  All  gone — all  murdered 
— oh,  my  lod'  my  f3od!'' 

"I  don't  think  all  be  gone,"  rejoined  the  other. 

"Ha!  say  you  so?     Who  has  escaped?" 

"Can't  say;  but  come  here  and  look  for  yourself;" 
and  Wetzel  led  Albert  to  the  smoking  cabin,  and  pointed 
among  the  charred  and  burning  logs  to  a  couple  of  hu 
man  bodies  that  lay  side  by  side  near  the  center  of  the 
space  that  had  been  occupied  by  the  dwelling. 

"My  mother  and  sister  I"  groaned  the  young  man, 
again  lowering  his  eyes  and  shuddering. 

Then  looking  up  suddenly,   he  added: 

"Put,  Rose!  Rose! — where  is  she?  I  have  seen 
nothing  of  her!" 

"I'm  in  hopes  she's  escaped,"  said  Wetzel. 

"God  be  praised!  Oh.  God  be  praised!  Quick  my 
friend! — quick  the  trail — the  trail!" 

The  other  sprang  down  the  knoll,  near  the  creek, 
and  the  next  minute  his  voice  was  heard  exclaiming: 

"It's  here!  it's  here!  The  varmints  have  gone  down 
stream." 

"Well,  well — but  what  of  Rose!" 

"I  don't  see  nothing  of — yes,  here's  a  white  gal's 
mark,  as  I'm  a  gintleman." 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  35 

Albert  uttered  a  cry  of  joy  and  rushed  to  the  spot. 

"Where?  where?"  he  eagerly  demanded,  examining 
the  ground.  "Ah,  I  see  it  now!  Yes,  you  are  right; 
these  are  her  foot -prints  and  she  is  a  prisoner.  Come, 
Jet  us  away  to  her  rescue!" 

"But  the  dead  ?"  hesitated  the  other. 

'Ah!  yes.  I  understand.''  replied  the  young  man, 
solemnly;  "we  cannot  leave  them  thus — though  we  have 
no  time  to  spare  from  the  living.  Ha!  yonder  I  see  a 
spade  that  has  escaped  the  general  wreck!  With  this 
we  must  dig  a  grave  and  bury  them." 

"It'U  be  too  hard  on  your  narves,  lad — let  me  do  the 
burying  business,"  returned  the  other,  considerately. 

"No!  there  is  no  time  to  spare,  Wetzel.  If  you  will 
be  kind  enough  to  bring  down  the  bodies,  I  will  throw 
out  the  earth  here;"  and  without  waiting  a  reply  Albert 
stuck  his  spade  into  the  ground  where  he  stood,  and  pro 
ceeded-  to  dig  a  grave,  with  the  same  eagerness  he  would 
have  raised  the  earth  from  the  body  of  a  buried  comrade, 
in  whum  the  3park  of  life  was  supposed  to  be  yet  linger 
ing. 

But  his  mind  was  a  sort  of  chaos,  and  distracted  be 
tween  the  living  and  the  dead.  He  knew  that  all  his 
family — father,  mother,  brother,  and  sister — had  been 
murdered,  and  ..hat  he  was  now  at  work  upon  their  tomb. 
Yet  somehow  it  seemed  to  him  he  could  not  realize  the 
awful  calamity;  for  one  had  escaped;  and  in  that  one  his 
foul  was  centered,  and  all  his  thoughts  bound  up.  He 
loved  nis  parents;  his  brother,  and  sister — but,  as  we  have 
before  shown,  he  loved  Rose  more  than  all.  Had  she  fal 
len,  as  he  at  r'irst  believed,  life  would  indeed  have  been 
£i  blank;  but  she  had  escaped,  and  there  was  something 
for  him  to  live  for  yet.  He  deeply  grieved  for  his  fam 
ily — but  his  thoughts  were  divided  between  the  living 
and  the  dead — and  thus  the  blow  was  softened  of  its 
crushing  force,  and  he  was  able  to  bear  up  under  it.  All 
apparent  weaV.noss  and  irresolution  had  left  him,  and  his 


36  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

features  had  assumed  the  severe  expression  of  stern  re 
solve.  For  ten  minutes  he  labored  with  the  spade  as  a 
man  whose  life  depended  upon  his  exertions;  and  by  that 
time  an  excavation  was  made  large  enough  to  contain  the 
bodies  which  Wetzel  had  already  brought  to  the  spot. 

"Now  go!"  said  ihe  latter  as  Albert  leaped  from,  the 
hole.  "Go1  it's  too  much  for  you — I  know  it  is — and  I'll 
put  the  bodies  in  and  kiver  'em  up  decent." 

"Mo."  answered  Albert,  sadly;  "I  should  never  for 
give  myself  were  I  to  shrink  from  performing  this  last 
sad  duty.  I  feel  strangely,  Wetzel;  my  head  feels  light; 
but  my  nerves  are  steady:  and  therefore  I  will  not  turn 
from  the  solemn  task." 

The  tv/o  hunters  then  proceeded  to  raise  the  dead, 
slowly  and  solemnly,  one  at  a  time,  and  place  them,  side 
by  side,  uncoffinod.  in  the  rude  grave.  This  done,  both 
uncovered  their  heads,  and  standing  on  the  brink  of  the 
last  earthly  home  cf  those  wbo  had  been  all  suddenly 
summoned  to  judgment,  gazed  solemnly  down  upon  Lhefr 
mortal  remains. 

"Alas!"  groaned  Albert,  making  a  great  effort  to 
be  calm,  but  unable  to  subdue  his  emotions,  bursting  in 
to  tears.  "Alas!  here  lie  nearly  all  my  friends,  in  a 
bloody  grave,  with  no  chaplain  nigh  to  say  the  last  sad 
rites  that  belong  to  the  dead.  Oh!  my  dear  mother,  and 
father  and  1-rother,  and  sister!  must  I  then  bid  you  all 
farev-ell  so  soon,  to  behold  you  no  more  on  earth!  Oh!  it 
rends  my  heart  and  overwhelms  me  with  sorrow." 

"Come,"  whispered  Wetzel,  "we  can't  benefit  the 
dead,  and  surely  the  livin'  hev  got  a  claim  on  us." 

''Right,  my  friend!"  cried  Albert,  starting  at  the 
thought.  "Poor  little  Rose  is  even  now  perhaps  calling 
on  me  to  protect  her.  Farewell!'1  he  said,  waving  his 
hand  mournfully  over  the  grave  and  turning  away.  "Fare 
well,  all'  God  rest  your  souls  in  peace!" 

Wetzel  seized  the  spade;  and  as  Albert  stepped  aside 
to  give  vent  to  his  grief  he  threw  the  loose  earth  upon 
the  mangled  bodies;  and  in  a  minute  more  they  were  for- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  37 

ever  buried  from  human  observation.  Then  touching  the 
other  on  the  shoulder,  he  pointed  to  the  trail,  clasped  his 
rifle  firmly,  and  said,  in  a  low,  firm  tone: 

"Come!" 

Albert  cast  an  eager,  anxious  look  around  him,  and 
perceiving  that  the  grave  was  covered,  he  approached  it, 
and  kneeling  upon  the  soft,  loose  earth  silently  prayed  to 
the  great  Author  of  all  for  peace  to  the  souls  of  the  de 
parted,  for  strength  to  bear  up  under  his  affliction,  and 
for  success  to  crown  his  efforts  in  rescuing  her  he  loved 
from  the  bloody  hands  of  those  who  had  murdered  his 
relatives  This  over,  he  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  seizing 
his  rifle,  rushed  into  the  thicket,  where  he  was  instantly 
joined  by  Wet/el. 

The  trail  here  was  broad  and  open,  as  if  the  enemy 
had  left  it  so  intentionally;  and  after  pursuing  it  a  short 
time  through  the  thick  brushwood  which  for  a  consider 
able  distance  lined  the  banks  of  the  little  stream  that  ran 
murmuring  by  with  its  pure  forest  song,  as  if  no  sounds 
hut  those  of  gent'e  harmony  had  ever  disturbed  its  toli- 
tude,  the  old  hunter  suddenly  came  to  a  halt,  much  to  the 
surprise  of  his  companion,  who,  pressing  eagerly  after, 
was  thus  brought  forcibly  in  contact  with  him. 

What  now?'  demanded  Albert,  impatiently — for  his 
thoughts  were  all  with  Rose 

"Hist  !'•  said  the  other.  "Speak  lower,  or  you'll  nev 
er  larn  to  make  a  woodsman  fit  to  trail  In j ens.  To  tell 
the  honest  truth,  I  don't  like  this  here  trail — it's  got  too 
poker'sh  to  suit  an  old  hunter  like  me." 

"Wnat  do  you  see  wrong?" 

"Why,  the  red-skins  hain't  taken  no  pains  to  conceal 
the  way  they've  traveled;  and  that  arn't  Injen,  unless 
they  want  to  bo  followed,  and  then  it's  jest  Injen,  cuss 
'em!  and  nothing  else.  Now  the  varmints  knew  well 
enough  they  did't  kill  all  your  family — for  they've"  seen 
your  trail  leadin'off  from  the  house,  you  may  depind — 
und  by  that  they  know'd  you'd  follered  off  that  thar 
white  devil,  and  in  course  that  some  time  you'd  come 


38  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

back,  and  findin'  all  your  family  killed,  'cept  one,  that 
you'u  naterly  take  off  arter  her;  and  so  they've  left  this 
here  track  open  a  purpose;  and  you  may  depend  they've 
got  an  ambush  down  here  somewhars,  and  are  making 
desperate  calkilations  on  geitin'  your  scalp.  D'ye  under 
stand  now?" 

"I  do,"  replied  Albert.  "But  what  is  to  be  done? 
We  can't,  remain  here,  and  of  course  you  don't  think  of 
giving  up  the  pursuit." 

"Give  up  thunder!"  replied  the  other.  "See  here, 
young  man,  you've  heerd  me  pledge  my  honor  on'L  that 
I'd  not.  rest  til1  e-rery  hound  on  'em  was  dead;  and  ef  you 
(suspicion  my  oath  or  honor,  you'll  give  a  mortal  offense, 
and  make  me  \OI\T  inemy  instead  o'  your  friend  " 

"I  crave  your  pardon!"  returned  Albert.  "I  meant 
not  to  doubt  your  word  or  your  honor  in  the  least.  I  look 
it  for  granted  we  could  not  give  up  the  pursuit,  and  so 
asked  what  we  wore  to  do." 

"Well,  that's  all  right,  that's  all  right,"  replied  the 
other,  ail  traces  of  angor  disappearing.  "I  see  you  didn't 
mean  nothing'  offensive,  and  I  oaghten't  to  tho't  so,  be 
ing's  you're  half  dead  about  your  folks,  and  this  other 
little  gal.  Now  I've  been  arter  the  Injuns  purty  much  all 
my  life — so  that  this  may  be  said  to  be  my  nat.eral  voca 
tion — and  I  know  thar  tricks  jest  as  well  as  I  know  \vaar 
Killnigg.er's  going  to  when  I  pint  her;  and  so  ef  they 
thinks  ?.s  how  they  i;an  circumvent  me,  let  'em  think  so 
i  nd  be — !  thars  no  dou&t  in  my  mind  but  they'll  diskiver 
thar  mistako  jest  about  the  time  they'll  miss  their  cussed 
lop-knots.  Tsow  I'll  tell  you  what  we  ve  got  to  do;  we've 
got  to  leave  this  here  trail,  and  make  a  circuit  and  coma 
in  upon't  again  somewhar  lower  down — that  is  ef  we  can 
— and  ef  we  can't,  we'll  know  purty  sartin  we've  left  the 
red  niggers  above." 

"Jiut  this  will  delay  us  from  finding  Rose,"  said  Al 
bert,  hastily,  to  whom  every  moment  lost  seemed  an  age. 

And  wouldn't  a  rifle-bullet  do  as  much?''  quiotly 
queried  the  other.  "I  tell  you  what  'tis,  young  man — 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  39 

you've  got  a  heap  to  larn  yet  about  the  woods  and  In.'ens, 
of  you  tiiink  anything  can  bo  dene  by  hurrying  in  a  sar- 
C'jnistanoe  like  this.  We've  got  to  take  our  time,  and  no 
mistake;  and  we  nrn't  to  let  the  devils  know  we're  arter 
'em  or  we  shall  lose  all.  So  come,  let's  make  a  sarcumlo- 
cation,  as  the  chaps  in  the  settlements  say." 

As  he  spoke  Wetzel  turned  off  from  the  trail,  and 
striking  across  the  thicket  ascended  a  hill  to  the  right, 
and  oontimed  along  its  summit  for  more  than  half  a 
mile,  when  he  again  descended  the  valley.  In  this  dis 
tance,  short  as  it  was,  the  nature  of  the  ground  changed 
materially.  The  valley  was  still  somewhat  level,  though, 
it  began  to  grow  more  uneven;  and  the  swampy  thnket. 
in  which  our  foresters  had  at  first  been  buried,  and 
wherein  Wet^l  feared  an  ambush,  had  already  ceased, 
and  ar  almost  entirely  different  under-growth,  above 
which  grew  a  few  maples  and  beeches,  over-shadowed 
the  limpid  waters  of  the  little  stream.  A  quarter  of  a 
mile  further  on  the  ground  beoame  broken  and  reeky, 
and  the  water  had  a  rapid  descent  for  more  than  a  mile, 
when  it  again  passed  over  a  short  level  space,  and  buried 
.tself  in  the  bosom  of  the  Captina.  The  place  in  question, 
where  our  two  hunters  descended  to  the  valley,  had  not. 
same  advantages  for  an  ambuscade  as  at  the  spot  where 
they  had  Quitted  ;*:  and  moving  forward  cautiously,  look 
ing  keenly  at  everything  that  stirred,  and  listening  to 
ever}'  sour?d,  they  at  length  reached  the  creek,  without 
having  perceived  any  traces  of  the  Indians  whatever. 

''Now  one  thing  out  o'  two  is  sartin,"  said  Wetzel, 
in  a  low  guarded  tone,  peering  cautiously  around;  "ayther 
those  here  vagabonds  is  atween  this  and  whar  we  turned 
off  o'that  trail,  or  else  thev've  turned  into  the  creek  and 
*>roke  it — and  then  Old  Nick  himself,  unless  he  seed  'em, 
couldn't  tell  which  way  they've  gone.  They're  cunning, 
varmints,  is  these  here  Injens,  I  tell  you,  and  no  mistake. 
Now  it's  perfectly  impossible  to  tell  whar  they  is  now. 
They  made  a  broad  trail  .so  as  to  be  followed,  you  may 
depend  on  that;  but  for  what  p-irpose  we've  got  to  find 


40  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

out.  It's  likely  they've  come  down  so  fur,  and  got  into 
iho  stream,  and  gone  back  again,  and  put  off  t'other 
way,  jest  10  blind  us.  But  I'll  soon  find  out.  Do  you  jes 
stay  right  here  now,  and  I'll  go  up  and  reconnoitre.  E* 
you  hear  Kilnigger  speak,  jest  take  car'  of  yourself;  for 
you  may  depend  on'r  I'll  be  number  one  amongst,  the 
critters,  sure." 

"But  i  will  go  with  you,"  said  Albert,  eagerly.  "Shall 
it  be  said  that  I  stood  idle,  with  Rose  in  danger,  and  al 
lowed  another  to  go  forward  to  her  rescue  alone?  Never, 
Wetzel,  never!" 

"Now  this  sounds  all  very  brave,  and  the  like,  I 
'spose;  but  it  'ltd  be  powerful  foolish  to  put  it  in  prac 
tice  jest  at  this  time.  No,  no — I  know  what's  best;  and 
so  do  you  stay  hereabouts,  ready  to  come  ef  you're  want 
ed.  Depind  upon  it,  I'll  do  my  indlvors  to  disgiver  the 
Tarmints  ouietly;  and  ef  I  fnd  'era  I'll  let  you  know  in 
rome  way  or  other." 

"Put  they  might  tomahawk  poor  Rose,  if  she  is  with 
them." 

"'fey.,  and  they  mought  do  the  same  thing  ef  you  was 
along — so  wl'at's  the  odds!  N&.  ef  I  fire  on  'em  at  all, 
it'll  hev  a  good  effect — -case  why — thar'll  be  sartin  t.o  be 
one  of  the  red  devils  less;  and  only  hearing'  one  gun,  and 
ttinkin'  it  was  the  chap  they  was  ambusin' — that's  you — 
d'ye  mind! — at  least  two  of  the  three  that's  left  will  set 
out  to  chase  me.  "I'll  run.  in  course—  -load  as  I  run — 
:>nd  I'll  lay  ein  both  cold,  jest  as  sure  as  I'm  a  white 
gentleman,  and  they're  the  red  imps  of  Satan.  Mean 
while,  you  can  crawl  around,  pick  off  t'other  skunk,  and 
then  we've  got  'em  safe,  and  the  gal  in  the  bargain.  D'ye 
understand  now  ?'" 

"Yes — go  on — I  will  remain  here." 

The  other  moved  cautiously  forward  in  the  direction 
of  thj  sv.amt'y  thicket,  and  in  a  few  minutes  he  was  lost 
to  the  eje  of  young  Maywood,  who  awaited  the  result  of 
his  adventure  with  all  the  impatience  of  a  lover  over 
whost.1  m'stress  hung  an  awful  uncertainty.  Minute  after 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  41 

minute  w?nt  b>,  -mil  still  no  Wctzel  made  his  appearance; . 
and  when  a  hali'  hour  had  elapsed  the  suspense  to  our 
hero  amounted  to  an  agony  little  short  of  a  new  calamity. 
At  last  he  was  just  on  the  point  or  starting  Oi'f  in  pur 
suit  o?  the  ether,  \\hen  Wetzel  suddenly  emerged  from 
the  thicket  without  any  of  that  caution  he  had  hitherto 
used 

"Well,  what  news?"  inquired  Albert,  eagerly. 

"Whv  the  scamps  hev  gone,  sure  enough;  but 

which  way,  the  Lord  knows  better  'an  me.  I  found  fhar 
*rail  agin,  and  tollowed  it  into  the  creek  jest  as  I  sus 
pected,  ai/d  thar's  an  ind  on't." 

"What  are  we  to  do  then?" 

"Well,  I  thought  as  hOAV  we'd  go  down  below  here  a 
bit,  and  maybe  we  may  find  whar  they've  come  out.  Sar- 
tin  we  can.  of  they've  come  out  this  here  way  at  all;  and 
ef  they  haven't,  we'll  have  to  take  up  stream  and  try  'em 
that  ~.vay;  they're  orful  cunnin'.  cusses." 

'  This  is  vexatious,"  rejoined  Albert,  "and  harrowing 
to  one's  very  soul.  Alas!  alas!  poor  little  Rose!  I  fear 
I  shall  never  behold  thy  sweet  countenance  again!'' 

Don't  £vo  for  to  bein'  discouraged  this  airly  or.  the 
journey,"  returned  the  other;  "fir  it's  likely  we'll  be  days 
on  the  sjiroh  afore  we  find  'em — more  likoly,  I  may  say, 
nor  that  we'll  find  'em  sooner;  but  patience  and  perse 
verance  '11  do  wonders  sometimes.  Thar's  one  consola 
tion,  however,  that  when  \ve  do  find  the  scamps,  thar'll 
some  of  'em  git  a  taste  o'  cold  lead  right  sudden,  unless 
they've  got  sharper  eyes  and  be  quicker  on  the  trigger 
nor  we  is  So,  ccme — let's  be  a  movin'  again — for  the 
sun's  travelin'  wes'ard  right  smart." 

Albert  nec"1od  no  second  invitation  to  be  on  the 
move,  and  the  tv.  o  ngain  set  off  together  at  a  much  fast 
er  pace  than  heretofore. 

"You  keep  this  side  o'  the  stream,  and  youi  eves 
right  keen,  and  I'll  take  t'otter,"  pursued  the  (.-Id  hunter; 
and  as  he  spoke  ho  <?prang  across  the  creek. 

In  this  manner  our  two  friends  followed  the  creek 


42  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

down  to  where  it  emptied  into  the  larger  one,  without 
discovering  a  single  sign  of  the  broken  trail.  Then  a  con 
sultation  was  held  as  to  what  should  be  done  next.  At 
the  precise  point  where  the  stream  they  had  followed  en 
tered  the  Captina,  the  latter  was  so  shallow  along  the 
shore  as  to  permit  a  person  to  wade  it  for  a  considerable 
distance;  and  observing  this,  a  thought  struck  the  old 
hunter  that  it  might  be  possible  to  find  the  trail  at  the 
place  where  the  water  became  deep.  Acting  upon  this 
idea,  he  lert  his  companion,  and  went  down  fctream  sev 
eral  rods  further. 

The  result,  was  all  he  cculd  have  hoped;  and  a  shout 
of  trumph  announced  his  success  to  Albert,  who  bounded 
away  to  join  nim,  with  an  answering  cry  of  delight.  The 
trail  was  again  discovered,  and  our  friends,  elated  at 
their  good  fortune,  set  off  to  pursue  it,  with  renewed  en 
ergies  and  spirits  bounding  with  hope. 

But  little  effort  was  now  required  to  keep  OP  th* 
track  of  the  enomy;  for  doubtless  feeling  secure,  they 
had  made  no  further  attempt  to  conceal  their  course.  But 
though  our  friends  hurried  on,  no  Indians  were  brought 
in  sight;  and  the  sun  went  down  just  as  they  reached  the 
mouth  of  tho  Captina,  where  it  empties  into  the  Ohio. 
Then  the  trail  showed  that  the  Indians  had  crossed  the 
stream  with  their  prisoner;  and  satisfied  of  this  fact,  our 
adventurers  secured  their  powder  horns  to  the  rifles,  and 
holding  the  latter  above  their  heads  dropped  quietly  into 
the  water  and  swam  across. 

On  reaching  the  other  shore  they  again  found  the 
trail,  which  they  hastily  followed  for  something  more 
ihan  a  mile;  but  darkness  coming  on.  they  thought  it  the 
v,*isest  course  to  encamp  where  they  ware,  and  renew 
their  pursuit  with  the  first  light  that  would  permit  them 
in  the  morning. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Following  the  Trail. 
That     ni.^ht  \vas  a  sleepless  one  to  Albert.     It  was 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  43 

necessary,  in  order  to  keep  off  the  wild  beats  which 
prowled  around,  that  a  small  fire  should  be  kindled;  but 
our  hunters  not  knowing  in  what  proximity  they  might 
be  to  the  savages  they  were  pursuing,  made  this  in  the 
center  of  a  dense  thicket,  a  small  circle  of  the  brush-wood 
being  cut  away  for  the  purpose.  By  this  means  the  light 
was  prevented  from  reaching  beyond  the  thicket — so  that 
it  was  almost  impossible  their  discovery  should  be  other 
than  accidental. 

Albert  now  produced  what  little  food  he  had  with 
him,  ;;f  .vhich  both  partook  sparingly,  reserving  at  least 
one-half  with  which  to  break  their  fasts  on  the  mori-ow. 
This  clone,  Wc-tzel  sat  a  few  minutes  before  the  fire,  con 
versing  with  nis  companion  in  low,  guarded  tones;  and 
then,  wi'h  the  readiness  of  one  habituated  to  the  woods, 
and  acciistomed  all  his  life  t.o  danger,  he  stretched  him 
self  upon  the  earth,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  was 
sleeping  soundly — if,  in  fact,  that  sleep  can  be  called 
pound  from  which  the  sleeper  is  aroused  by  the  least  un 
usual  noise 

J'ut  Albert,  as  M  e  have  said  before,  could  not  rest. 
A  thousand  maddening  thoughts  were  chasing  one  an 
other  through  his  brain.  He  thought  of  his  friends,  his 
relations,  those  vho  were  so  near  and  dear  to  him,  but 
who  had  suddenly  been  summoned  to  another  world  by 
the  murderous  weapons  of  the  savages.  All,  all  were 
gone — butchered  in  cold  blood;  and  to  his  excited  fancy, 
it  seemed  as  if  thcv  came  up  before  him,  one  by  one,  and 
called  on  him  to  avenge  them  on  their  inhuman  destroy 
ers.  Then  the  thoi  glit  of  Rose — or  rather  he  reverted  to 
her  distinctly — for  in  fact  she  was  never  absent  from  his 
thoughts;  and  he  pondered  over  her  awful  condition, 
wondered  -where  she  was,  and  strove  to  imagine  vhat 
must  l>e  her  tvelings.  She  had  doubtless  seen  her  friends 
murdered,  her  home  destroyed,  and  was  now  a  captive 
herself,  in  barbarous  hands — reserved,  it  might  ha  for 
even  a  worse  fate  than  those  who  had  gone  to  their  last 
account.  And  would  she  not  think  of  him  she  lo'^d-p 


44  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

who  was  even  now  on  his  way  to  her  rescue — to  whom 
ter  heart  and  hand  were  pledged — and  mourn  him  as  one 
lost  to  her  forever?  Perhaps  she  might  even  now  be  suf 
fering  some  barbarous  treatment,  and  vainly  calling  on 
him  *.o  protect  her — upon  him  whose  heart's  blood  would 
readily  be  spilt  in  her  defense — but  who,  under  the  pres 
ent  circumstances,  and  at  the  present  time,  could  render 
her  ur,  aid  whatever. 

As  these  thoughts  rushed  through  the  mind  of  Al 
bert,  he  felt  he  could  not  endure  the  suspense  of  waiting 
tor  dayiight,  which  would  only  come  after  the  lapse  of 
many  hours,  each  one  of  which  to  him  now  seemed  an 
age  of  torture;  and  he  arose  from  his  sitting  posture,  and 
walked  to  anri  fro  before  the  fire,  occasionally  glancing 
at  his  companion,  and  envying  his  sleep,  yet  wondering 
how  he  could  pass  to  forgetfulness  under  such  painful 
and  exciting  civciiinstances  and  immediately  after  hav 
ing  witnessed  such  horrble  events.  But  he  overlooked 
•.he  fact  that  Wetzel  had  rot  the  same  interest  in  the 
bloocJ  tragedy  that  he  had  himself — for  no  relatives  of  his 
hao  fallen  there,  and  that  besides,  such  and  similiar 
scenes  were  with  him  of  every  day  occurrence,  and  con 
stant  intercourse  with  acts  of  violence  blunts  the  sensi 
bilities. 

After  pacing  back  and  forth  some  half  an  hour,  in. 
a.  state  of  mind  easier  to  be  conceived  than  described,  Al 
bert  began  to  part  the  bushes,  with  the  intention  of  pass 
ing  out  of  the  thicket.  Scarcely  had  he  touched  them  for 
this  purpose  when  Wetzel  sprang  into  a  sitting  posture, 
and,  with  the  force  of  habit,  laid  his  hand  upon  his  rifle, 
v/h?le  he  glanced  hurriedly  around  him. 

What  is  it?"  he  asked,  seeing  all  was  quiet,  and  no 
cause  for  alarm  "What  was  it  as  woke  me  so  sudden?" 
'I  think  you  haA'e  been  dreaming,"  replied  Aloert; 
"for  T  have  heard  no  noise,  other  than  the  distant  howl 
of  a  pack  of  wolves,  and  what  I  made  myself  in  stirring 
the  bushes  here." 

That's  it,"   rejoined  Wetzel,   "that's  jest   it,   young 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  45 

man,  and  nothin'  else.  I'm  al'ays  ready  to  fight  Tnjens, 
awake  or  asleep:  and  when  I  heard  you  stir  them  thar 
bushes,  I  must  hev  thought  one  of  the  red  hellions  war 
close  by.  Hope  I  didn't  skoer  ye  much,  Master  Albert; 
good  night;"  and  thus,  with  a  sort  of  apology,  as  it  were, 
ior  h?ving  been  disturbed  himself;  this  remarkable  hunt 
er  fell  back  to  his  place  on  the  ground,  and  the  next 
minute  was  in  the  lai;d  of  dreams. 

Albert  now  gave  up  his  intention  of  leaving  the 
thicket,  and  stretching  himself  upon  the  earth,  he  strove, 
with  right  good  will,  to  initate  his  sleeping  companion, 
well  knowing  how  necessary  to  his  movements  on  the 
morrow,  was  a  present  rest  to  both  body  and  mind.  But 
his  etforts  ro  sleep  were  fruitless;  and  he  rolled  to  and 
fro,  got  up  and  stirred  the  fire,  threw  on  new  fuel,  -jc- 
tasionally  walked  back  and  forth;  and  thus  he  passed 
the  night,  hailing  the  first  streak  of  morn  with  all  the 
gloomy  delight  that  may  be  imagined  of  one  in  his  situa 
tion. 

The  morning  broke  bright  and  clear,  and  the  sun 
rose  with  a  golden  halo,  as  beautiful  as  thougi'  he  were 
to  shine  upon  an  eternal  paradise,  instead  of  upon  a 
world  of  sin,  sorrow,  lamentation,  and  woe.  Liong  before 
he  showed  bis  welcome  visage  over  the  hills,  however, 
Wetzel  and  his  companion  were  stirring;  and  first  look 
ing  carefully  to  their  weapons,  and  repriming  their 
rifles,  lest  the  heavy  dew  had  too  much  dampened  the 
powder,  tney  made  a  frugal  breakfast  on  the  remaining 
stock  of  food,  and  by  the  time  it  was  light  enough  to  gee, 
both  were  prepared  to  set  out  in  pursuit  of  the  foe. 

The  fire  of  the  night  had  completely  dried  their  gar 
ments;  but  the  bushes  were  so  loaded  with  dew.  that  on 
coming  out  of  the  thicket,  they  found  themselves  nearly 
as  wet  as  before.  But  the  weather  was  comfortably 
wa^m — though,  had  it  been  otherwise,  this  would  have 
been  a  matter  of  little  or  no  consequence  to  men  bent  on 
so  stern  an  errand  as  was  their's.  On  coming  out  of  cue 
thicket  into  the  more  open  wood,  they  again  found  the 


46  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

trail  without  difficulty,  and  set  forward  with  renewed 
energy.  As  the  sun  rose  above  the  trees,  and  poured  his 
golden  flood  through  their  dew-gemmed  branches,  and 
kissed  the  bright  flowers  and  blossoms,  and  made  they 
lay  Dare  their  merry  hearts,  as  it  were  to  his  coming — 
and  as  a  thousand  birds  in  concert  sung  their  morning 
hymns,  in  strains  of  matchless  melody — Albert  for  a  mo 
ment  felt  something  like  a  softening  ray  penetrate  his 
own  gloomy  soul;  and  he  could  not  but  picture  to  him 
self  how  delightful  would  have  been  this  scene  to  him, 
had  he  witnessed  it  the  morning  before,  when  all  his 
friends  were  well,  and  enjoying  the  blessings  of  rosy 
health.  Pur,  now,  alas!  a  weight  of  woe  lay  upon  his 
heart,  and  nothing  in  nature,  hoAvever  beautiful  or  en 
chanting,  could  awaken  a  single  emotion  of  pleasure; 
though  it  would  not  be  too  much  to  say,  perhaps,  that  he 
felt  the  presence  of  the  All-pervading  Spirit,  and  that  it 
calmed  in  some  measure  the  tempest  within,  and  aided  to 
revive  a  nope,  which  is  to  the  mental,  what  heaven's 
great  luminary  is  to  the  natural  world,  and  without 
whi-ih  the  soul  of  a  man  would  be  buried  in  a  rayless 
night  or  gloom  Nor  was  the  morning,  with  its  loveliness, 
and  "balmy  breath,"  without  its  effect  on  Wetzel,  who  af 
ter  pushing  on  some  time  in  silence,  suddenly  looked  up 
and  said: 

"Well,  this  help's  a  powerful  nice  day  to  begin  with, 
and  makes  one  feel  as  if  he  could  foller  them  vagabonds 
a'most  as  much  for  pleasure  as  for  revenge     But  the  cuss 
es  is  travelin'  fast,  and  we  haint  got  no  time  to  lose." 

"Ai:d  how  do  you  know  they  are  traveling  fast?  '  in 
quired  Albert. 

"Know  it  by  the  tracks.  Don't  you  see,  row,  that  them 
steps  is  wide  apart — and  little  Rose's,  here,  oneommon  so 
for  a  female  \voman — but  that  for  all,  it  takes  threo  of 
hern  to  make  tvf-  of  thar's,  D'ye  understand  now?" 

.\h!  yes."  sighed  Albert,  "I  understand.     Alas!  poor 
Rose!" 

"Hope  they  won't  tire  the  gal  out,     and  tomahawk 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  47 

iier!"  observed  the  other. 

"God  forbid  "  exclaimed  Albert,  almost  beside  him 
self  with  the  thought.  '  Do  you  think  there  is  any  Jtng- 
er,  Wet/el?" 

"Why,  with  them  cusses,  a  woman's  never  safe,  in 
course — and  sich  things  hev  bin  done  afore  now.  Some 
times,  ye  see,  when  they  think  they're  follered,  they  put 
ahead  like  the  d — 1;  and  ef  they  happen  to  hev  prisoners, 
and  they  can't  keep  up,  why,  sooner  nor  let  'em  go,  they 
drive  a  hatchet  in  thar  skulls,  far  off  thar  scalps,  and 
leave  'em  behind  to  fatten  wolves  and  turkey  buzzards 
on." 

"Good  heavens!  you  alarm  me,  with  the  horrible 
picture  you  draw." 

"I  can't  draw  pictures,"  replied  the  other,  taking 
the  matter  up  literally;  "but  I  can  jest  tell  a  backwoods 
native  truth  with  any  white  gintleman  as  ever  trod  this 
here  'arth,  and  sot  heel  on  any  red  nigger's  wind-pipe — 
I  can,  by !" 

"For  heaven's  sake!  my  friends,  let  us  hurry  for 
ward;  for  somehow  I  begin  to  anticipate  the  worst." 

'well,  taint  best  to  git  skeerified,  Master  Albert — 
for  that  won't  help  things  a  bit.  "I've  bin  in  a  good  many 
tight  places  myself;  and  amongst  other  things,  I've 
lamed  its  best  not  to  cry  afore  you're  hurt.  It's  nateral 
for  one  to  go  to  trouble,  I'll  allow;  but  I've  always  found 
it  best  to  let  trouble  come  to  me;  for  it  al'ays  comes  as 
soon  as  I  want  to  see  it.  But  about  pushing  ahead!  I 
don't  see  no  objections  to  that;  so  we'll  travel  jest  as 
fast  as  sarcumstances  will  let  us." 

The  hunters  now  quickened  their  pace,  and  moved 
with  what  speed  they  could  through  the  dense  forest, 
which  seemed  tc  darken  at  everp  step,  till  it  became  like 
twilight,  owing  to  the  matted  covering  of  leaves  over 
tead,  between  which  the  rays  of  the  sun,  now  full  above 
the  horizon  ,were  unable  to  penetrate.  The  trail  of  the 
Indians  was  now  due  westward,  with  little  or  no  devia- 


48  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

tion  from  a  straight  line — which  led  Wetzel  to  infer 
that  they  were  aiming  direct  for  their  tribe,  or  the  ren 
dezvous  of  some  large  party  already  on  the 
war-path,  from  which  they  had  been  sent  out  as 
scouto  I£  tins  was  ;.he  case  and  every  circum 
stance  seemed  to  confirm  it,  it  was  necessary 
to  overtake  them  before  they  reached  the  main  party; 
and  as  Wetzel  thought  of  the  possibility  of  failure,  his 
dark  eye  grew  sullen,  a  frown  gathered  on  his  brow, 
and  his  face  expressed  an  anxiety  unusual  with  one 
so  schooled  in  maintaining,  under  all  circumstances,  a 
sort  of  equal  outward  composure. 

This  change  in  his  countenance  did  not  escape  the 
anxious  eye  of  his  younger  companion,  who  turned  to 
him  occasionally  with  the  same  feeling  of  helpless  de 
pendence  with  which  the  lost  mariner  consults  the  com 
pass  on  which  his  only  hope  is  placed. 

"What  is  it,  Wetzel?'  he  inquired  anxiously. 

The  other  explained  his  fears  in  his  own  peculiar 
way;  and  the  effect  on  the  already  half-distracted  Albert 
may  DP  readily  imagined. 

'O,  God!"  he  groaned;  "poor  Rose!  what  will  be 
come  of  her?  But  we  must  go  faster,  Wetzel — faster! 
Oh,  that  I  had  wings  to  fly  to  her  aid!" 

"Yes,  them  'ud  be  powerful  convenient  to  all  on  us 
in  sich  a  case,"  replied  the  other.  "But  we  hain't  got 
wings,  ye  see;  and  so  we'll  hev  to  do  the  best  we  can 
with  our  feet;  and  ontil  we  can  git  into  a  leetle  more 
open  wood,  I  don't  see  as  how  we  can  make  much  im 
provement  on  the  rate  we're  goin'-  I  tell  you  they  must 
be  travelin'  fast — for,  d'ye  mind,  we  ain't  come  upon 
their  last  night's  camp." 

"Say  no  more!"  cried  Albert;  "say  no  more,  or  the 
thought  will  drive  me  mad;  and  my  poor  brain  aches 
already." 

Aftor  passing  through  some  three  or  four  miles  oi 
this  dense,  dark  forest,  which  by  the  way  was  almost 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  49 

level — the  ground  again  became  broken,  the  wood  more 
open  and  the  trees  of  smaller  growth — so  that  occasional 
ly  our  friends  could  get  a  glimpse  of  sunshine,  and  were 
enabled  to  increase  their  speed  materially.  The  sun  was 
now  more  than  an  hour  above  the  eastern  norizon,  and, 
to  the  best  of  his  judgment,  Wetzel  decared  they  had 
advanced  some  five  or  six  miles  since  leaving  their  last 
night's  encampment;  but  what  was  very  singular,  in  his 
opinion,  they  had  not  yet  come  upon  the  encampment  of 
the  enemy. 

"By  heavens!"  lie  exclaimed,  "I  do  believe  the  cusses 
must  hev  traveled  in  the  night;  and  that's  powerful  sin 
gular  for  Injens,  onless  they  knowed,  or  had  strong 
suspicion,  they  was  followed." 

Our  pursuers  now  came  to  a  steep,  rocky  hill,  re 
sembling  an  artificial  embankment,  with  an  end,  if  we 
may  so  call  it,  presented  toward  them.  The  trail  led 
directly  up  this;  and  on  reaching  the  summit  they  were 
surprised  to  find  it  a  narrow  ridge,  of  not  more  than  a 
dozen  yards  in  width,  which  gradually  sloped  off  to  its 
base  on  either  side,  and  run  back  a  distance  of  not  less 
than  three  miles,  completely  destitute  of  trees,  and  only 
covered  with  a  low,  scrubby  fern,  and  some  wild  flowers 
and  grass.  The  sides  were  like  the  top,  covered  only 
with  low  shrubs;  but  in  the  ravines,  formed  by  the  hills 
on  either  side,  tall  trees  had  grown  up;  their  tops — ris 
ing  some  eight  or  ten  feet  above  this  embankment, 
with  others  still  behind  them,  as  it  were,  layer  after 
layer,  each  one  rising  higher,  as  it  rose  upon  the  retreat 
ing  hills — presented  a  singular  vista,  and  one  both  pict 
uresque  and  beautiful.  That  this  embankment  was  ar 
tificial  seemed  evident — though  if  so,  it  was  hard  to  ac 
count  for  the  huge  rocks  that  lay  exposed  at  fhe  point 
\\here  our  hunters  had  ascended,  looking  as  if  they  had 
recently  been  revealed  by  the  washing  of  the  rain. 

Under  favorable  circumstances  Albert  would  have 
paused  to  contemplate  the  singular  scene  now  presented 


50  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

to  his  view;  but  in  the  present  instance  his  mind  was  too 
much  occupied  -with  graver  matters  to  think  otherwise  of 
it  than  as  a  means  to  accelerate  his  progress. 

"We  can  gain  on  them  here,"  he  said,  "and  it  be- 
hoovps  ns  to  lo  our  best." 

"That's  true,"  replied  his  companion;  "that's  true;" 
and  he  immediately  started  off  on  his  peculiar  Indian 
lope — a  mode  of  running  in  which  he  was  greatly  fa 
vored  by  his  long  legs. 

Allert  was  naturally  quick  en  foot  but  it  made  him 
pant  excessively  to  keep  up  with  Wetzel,  who  at  the  end 
of  the  embankment  (for  we  must  so  call  the  ridge),  a 
distance,  as  we  have  said,  of  three  miles,  and  which 
was  made  in  less  than  half  an  hour — showed  no  more 
signs  of  fatigue  than  a  deer — a  name,  in  fact,  by  which 
he  was,  even  then,  designated  among  the  Wyandottes  or 
Hurons — the  Indian  of  it  being  Oughscanoto — and  which 
had  been  fastened  upon  him  on  account  of  his  great 
fleetness — not  one  of  the  nation  ever  having  been  suc 
cessful  in  their  effort  to  overtake  him  when  once  he  had 
the  start. 

The  termination  or  western  end  of  the  embankment, 
wae  much  like  the  eastern,  save  that  it  descended  into  a 
deep  ravine  .which  was  neither  more  nor  less  than  the 
meeting  of  the  two  ravines  on  either  side  of  the  ridge, 
and  \vhicb  the  latter  had  made  two  by  separation,  as  an 
island  divides  a  stream.  Into  this  ravine  our  friends 
entered  cautously — for  it  was  very  dark  and  gloomy — • 
being  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  hemlocks,  through 
which  it  was  with  no  little  dificulty  they  could  force 
their  way.  The  ground  was  now  descending  and  moist 
under  their  feet;  and  after  having  gone  some  few  rods 
a  small  rivulet  was  spied  trickling  down  the  hill  to  the 
right;  and  almost  at  the  same  moment  Wetzel,  who  was 
in  advance,  uttered  an  exclamation  of  delight. 

"Here's  thar  'campment,"  he  said  in  an  eager,  but 
guarded  tone;  "and  I'm  jest  as  glad  to  find  it  as  a  hun- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  51 

gry  nigger  is  to  eat  his  dinner.  I'd  jest  like  to  give  a 
raal  Injen  whoop  now;  and  if  thar's  any  of  the  var 
mints  in  this  quarter  to  let  'em  know  we're  comin'  arter 
'em,  all  right  and  tight,  but  then  I  knows  it  won't  do, 
for  it  might  'danger  the  gal  and  spile  our  journey." 

"No!  no!  for  heaven's  sake,  make  no  useless  dem 
onstration  of  either  delight  or  disappointment,  my 
friond,"  responded  Albert,  hurriedly,  as  he  joined  his  com 
panion. 

The  last  night's  camp  of  the  enemy  had  been  found, 
sure  enough;  and  a  few  brands  of  their  fire  were  still 
burning,  around  which  they  had  stretched  themselves 
to  rest.  As  Albert  came  upon  the  ground  where  little 
Rose  had  probably  passed  a  sleepless  night,  like  him 
self,  he  cast  around  eagerly  for  the  spot,  with  all  the 
ardent  feelings  of  a  lover.  But  he  had  not  long  to 
search.  A  stake  .driven  firmly  into  the  earth  at  the  outer 
edge  of  the  closed  circle  ,with  the  leaves  and  earth  con 
siderably  pressed  down  around  it,  gave  forth  the  painful 
intelligence,  not  only  of  the  unhappy  spot,  but  of  the 
fact  that  she  had  been  found.  And  as  if  to  furnish  still 
further  evidence  of  both,  a  small  piece  of  ribbon  that 
she  had  worn  in  her  hair  and  which  had  been  presented 
her  by  Albert,  together  with  a  short  strip  of  deer-skin, 
were  found  just  in  the  edge  of  the  bushes.  Albert  seized 
both  eagerly,  and  with  all  the  wild,  frantic  devotion  of 
a  lover,  he  pressed  the  former  to  his  lips  a  dozen  times, 
repeating  the  name  of  her  he  loved  in  the  most  endear 
ing  terms,  and  then  carefully  placed  it  inside  his  vest 
ments,  next  to  his  heart.  A  small  piece  of  jerk  was  also 
found,  which,  tearing  in  half,  Wetzel  eat  one  part  and 
handed  the  other  to  Albert,  who  refused  it  with  a  jesture 
of  loathing. 

"Well,  ef  you  don't  want  it  I  do."  said  the  hunter; 
and  the  next  moment  it  had  disappeared. 

"Ah!  dear  Rose,  your  captors  shall  pay  dearly  for 
this!"  said  Albert,  looking  at  the  stake  to  which  she 


52  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

had  been  bound. 

"We've  got  to  find  'em  first,"  observed  the  old 
hunter,  "and  so  let's  take  a  drink  here,  and  be  on  the 
move  agin." 

After  quenching  their  thirst  at  the  little  rivulet, 
our  friends  set  off  again  with  renewed  hope.  The  trail 
led  down  the  bed  of  the  ravine;  but  after  pursuing  it  a 
short  distance  a  new  obstacle  presented  itself  to  a  hur 
ried  progress.  The  little  rivulet  also  flowed  down  the 
ravine;  and  in  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile  a  dozen 
others  joined  it;  so  that  it  soon  formed  quite  a  stream — 
large  enough,  at  all  events,  to  admit  of  the  Indians  again 
Tweaking  the  trails — a  precaution  they  had  by  no  meani 
neglected. 

"Ten  thousand  cusses  on  'em  for  vexatious  varm 
ints!  '  cried  Wetzel,  with  a  degree  of  passionate  impa 
tience  Albert  had  never  before  seen  him  display.  "Oh! 
ef  I  only  had  'em  under  the  muzzle  of  Killnigger  here,  it 
'ud  just  be  a  sort  o'  everlasting  satisfaction  to  blow  'em 
all  to  thunder!  "Well,  well,  we  must  do  the  best  we  can 
under  the  sarcumstances;  but  ef  ever  I  do  git  whar  I 
can  draw  a  b^ad  on  one  on  'em,  you  may  depind  on  seeing 
fun,  or  I'm  no  gintloman.  Now,  we'll  hev  to  do  jest 
exactly  as  we  done  afore — you  take  one  side,  and  keep 
your  eye  skinned,  while  I  take  t'other.  It's  maybe  we'll 
be  as  lucky  as  we  was  afore,  and  it's  maybe  not — thar's 

no  tellin'  nothin'  about  the  capryces  o'  sich  a  set  o' 

vagabonds  as  them,  no  how." 

Acting  upon  Wetzel's  suggestion  the  hunters  now 
divided  as  before,  each  taking  an  opposite  side  of  the 
stream.  Tn  this  way  they  followed  it  for  more  than  a  mile 
without  discovering  any  further  traces  of  the  Indians,  al 
though  every  spot  favorable  to  their  coming  out  of  the 
water  had  been  carefully  examined.  They  now  held  a 
short  consultation,  and  resolved  to  continue  on  a  mile 
further,  and  if  they  still  found  no  signs  to  retrace  their 
steps  and  examine  carefully  all  the  way  back.  The  bed 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  53 

of  the  stream,  so  far,  had  been  hard  and  rocky;  so  that 
it  was  impossible  to  tell,  by  any  signs  they  would  have 
left  behind,  whether  the  enemy  had  followed  down  it 
or  not;  but  a  mile  or  so  further  on  the  ground  changed, 
became  more  level,  and  the  bottom  of  the  rivulet,  or 
creek,  (for  this  was  one  of  the  head  brandies  of  Will's 
Creek),  grew  soft,  and  then  muddy.  As  soon  as  he  came 
to  this  Wetzel  examined  the  bottom  closely,  for  some 
distance,  and  then,  in  his  peculiar  way,  said: 

"You  may  skin  me  for  a  painter  Master  Albert,  ef 
these  here  same  cussed  red-skins  haint  sarcumvented  us 

most  powerful — they  hev,  by !  Now,  we've  had  all 

this  here  tramp  for  nothin',  I'll  bet  Killnigger  again  a 
raccoon  skin;  and  we've  got  to  tramp  it  all  back  agin, 
sure." 

Albert   fairly  uttered  a  groan   in   dismay. 

"By  what  do  you  judge?"  he  asked  sadly. 

"Why,  ef  they'd  went  along  here  in  this  soft  bottom 
some  of  thar  footprints  'ud  be  stickin'  thar  yet;  but 
thar  aint,  as  it  is,  not  even  a  shadder  o'  one." 

"Ah  me!"  sighed  the  other,  dejectedly;  "I  am  be 
ginning  to  get  discouraged." 

'Taint  no  use.  though,  for  nothin'  never  comes  o' 
givin'  up  the  chase.  Ef  it  warn't  for  the  gal,  I'd  look 
upon  all  this  here  as  a  heap  o'  fun;  but  for  her  sake,  I 
hate  to  lose  time,  for  fear  they'll  git  her  into  hands  more 
difficult  to  git  her  out  on.  Howsomever,  we've  got  to  go 
back,  and  thar's  no  use  o'standin'  to  think  about  it.  So 
come,  let's  trudge!" 

It  was  with  a  sinking  heart,  and  feelings  too  pain 
ful  to  be  described,  that  Albert  turned  to  retrace  his 
sters.  The  day  was  wasting  away,  and  already  the  sun 
was  half-way  to  the  meridian  ,and  they  had  in  reality 
not  got  beyond  the  encampment  of  the  Indians,  thus 
giving  the  latter  several  hours  the  start.  Besides,  there 
was  no  certainty  of  finding  the  trail  for  even  hours  to 
-come,  if  they  found  it  at  all;  and  by  that  time  the  sav- 


54  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

ages  might  be  secure  against  so  small  a  foe.    And  then 

horrble  thought! — what  might  be  the  fate  of  the  being 
he  loved,  and  the  only  friend,  as  it  were,  now  left  him 
upon  the  wide  earth!  All  these  thoughts  rushed  upon 
Albert,  and  he  foil  a  sickening,  disheartening  enervating 
sensation  come  over  him;  and  weak  from  excitement  and 
loss  of  rest,  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  he  could 
k^ep  his  feet,  and  drag  himself  back  to  the  camp.  Nor 
when  he  reached  there,  was  there  anything  to  revive  his 
spirits — for  not  a  sign  of  the  broken  trail  had  as  yet 
been  discovered.  It  was  plain  to  be  seen  where  it  en- 
tere'1  the  water;  but  where  it  had  come  out  was  a  secret 
which  baffled  even  the  forest  wisdom  and  sagacity  of 
Lewis  Wetzel  to  divine. 

"I  own  it  gits  me,"  said  the  other,  at  length.  "Yes, 
I  own  it  gits  me.  I'm  clean  used  up,  sarcuvented,.  and 
no  mistake.  I  hope  I  may  marry  a  Huron  squaw,  ef  I 
aint  jest  as  puzzled  a  white  gintleman  now  as  any  you 
could  pick  up  in  the  old  settlements  of  Kaintucky — I  am- 

by !      Reckon   we'll   hev  to   go   down  stream  again, 

Master  Albert,  and  trust  to  luck.  I  don't  see  no  other 
way;  I  don't,  on  the  honor  o'  a  white  gentleman." 

Alas:  then  there  is  no  hope!"  groaned  the  despon 
ding  Albert. 

"Well,  I  can't  say  that,  exactly — though  it  does  look 
sort  o'  doubious,  I  hev  to  acknowledge.  But  afore  we 
start  I'll  examine  this  here  trail  agin,  to  be  sure  thar's 
no  mistake." 

Saying  this,  Wetzel  got  down  on  his  hands  and  knees 
at  the  spot  where  the  mocassin  prints  entered  the  water; 
and  after  loooking  long  and  steadily  he  arose,  and  merely 
bidding  his  companion  await  his  return,  he  disappeared 
into  the  thicket.  Albert,  more  dead  than  alive,  threw 
himself  down  upon  the  earth,  in  that  peculiar  state  of 
mental  stupification  which  makes  one  perfectly  reckless 
of  consequences,  and,  so  he  escape  his  present  misery,  to 
care  not  what  follows.  In  this  mood  and  position  he- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  55 

:had  remained  some  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  when  sud 
denly  his  ears  were  saluted  with  a  whoop  that  made  him 
bound  to  his  feet  and  clutch  his  rifle  with  a  nervous 
grasp.  The  next  moment  he  heard  the  low,  peculiar 
laugh  of  Wetzel;  and  soon  after  the  old  hunter  came  reel 
ing  through  the  bushes,  holding  his  sides,  and  seeming 
ready  to  drop  to  the  ground  from  excess  of  mirth. 

"In  the  name  of  heaven,  what  is  the  matter,  my 
friend?"  cried  Albert,  running  to  him  in  alarm,  and  fan 
cying  this  singular  and  untimely  levity  must  proceed 
from  a  sudden  touch  of  insanity.  "Speak  to  me,  my 
friend!  speak:  or  I  shall  so  distracted  myself.'' 

But  the  earnest  manner  of  Albert  only  seemed  to  in 
crease  the  paroxysm;  and  instead  of  making  him  any 
direct  answer,  Wetzel  laid  himself  down  upon  the  ground, 
:  and  rolled  over  and  over,  still  laughing  in  that  low,  pec 
uliar  strain.  Albert  was  frightened;  and  while  he  stood 
looking  on,  considering  whether  it  were  best  to  roll  his 
friend  into  the  creek,  and  give  him  a  good  wetting,  or 
take  some  other  means  to  restore  him  to  his  senses,  the 
latter  so  far  recovered  as  to  speak. 

"The  fools!  the  asses!"  he  said;  "we  the  fools  and 
they  the  asses — ha,  ha,  ha!"  and  again  he  rolled  over  in 
a  mirthful  convulsion. 

"Mad!"  cried  Albert.     "Oh,  my  God!  he  is  mad." 

"Not  a  bit  on't,"  rejoined  the  old  hunter,  gradually 
getting  calmer — "not  a  bit  on't,  Master  Albert.  Do  I  look 
like  mad,  you  simpleton,  when  I'm  so  tickled  I  can't 
stand  up?  Can  a  fellow  laugh  like  I've  done  when  he's 
mad?  Not  a  bit  on't." 

"What,  in  heaven's  name,  is  the  matter  with  you, 
then?" 

Tickled,  that's  all — tickled  a'most  to  death.  O, 
my  sides!  You  see  we've  been  fooled,  and"  I've  Jest  dis— 
Kiverod  how.  Now,  would  you  b'leve  it,  only  two  of 
them  cusses  acterly  come  down  to  the  creek  here  with 
the  gal;  and  then  instead  of  going  into  the!  water,  they 


56  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

only  made  b'lieve;  and  taking  the  gal  up  in  their  arms- 
they  made  the  tracks  back'ard,  cl'ar  up  to  the  camp;  and 
then  all  did  the  same  cl'ar  up  to  the  'bankment,  whar 
they  jumped  one  side  and  started  a  new  trail." 

You  found  the  trail,  then?"    inquired    Albert  joy 
fully. 

"In  course  I  has — in  course;  and  I  found,  too,  whar 
one  o'  the  cusses,  in  makin'  a  long  step  back'ard,  stepped 
on  a  greasy  place  and  slipped  down  in  the  mud;  and  I 
jest  got  a  idee  how  foolish  he  looked  gittin'  up,  and  it 
sot  me  to  laughin'  as  ef  I'd  never  seen  nothin'  afore  to 
tickle  me  Hut  it's  over  now — the  trail's  found — ant! 
I'm  the  white  gintleman  as  can  lick  any  six  red  niggers 
that  ever  drawed  breath." 

Having  recovered  the  trail,  our  friends  now  set  off 
in  fine  spirits,  compared  to  what  had  bean  their  feelings 
for  the  last  few  hours.  Considerable  delay  had  been 
occasioned;  but  as  if  to  compensate  for  it  the  present 
trail  was  broad  and  open,  and  could  be  followed  rapidly 
— the  savages  doubtless  feeling  satisfied  that  enough  had 
been  done  to  completely  baffle  their  pursurers,  should  ' 
they  have  any.  Our  friends  now  gained  upon  the  foe 
perceptibly — who,  under  a  feeling  of  security,  most  prob 
ably,  had  slackened  his  pace  materially,  as  could  be  dis 
cerned  by  closely  noting  Ihe  steps,  and  their  distance 
apart,  as  had  been  done  on  a  previous  occasion. 

Toward  night  it  became  certain  to  our  hunters,  by 
§igns  unmistakable,  that  the  Indians  could  not  be  far  in 
advance;  and  in  consequence  they  displayed  the  utmost 
caution  in  all  their  movements.  They  had  by  this  time 
reached  a  large  tributary  of  AVill's  Creek;  and." the  trail 
led  along  its  banks,  through  a  dense,  dark  forest,  where 
nothing  could  be  seen  fifty  yards  in  advance  of  the  eye. 
It  now  became  evident  that  the  Indans  would  encamp  in 
the  vicinity;  and  fearing  to  follow  too  close  upon  them, 
it  was  agreed  between  our  friends  that  they  should  re 
main  where  they  were  till  night,  and  then  keep  along  : 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  57 

the  bank  of  the  creek  till  they  saw  the  light  of  their 
camp  fire,  so  sanguine  were  they  that  the  party  sought 

•  could  not  be  far  off.     This  plan  they  put  in  practice — 
resting  themselves  upon  the  ground  till  the  sun  had  fair 
ly  set — by  which  time  it  was  so  dark  under  the  matted 

i  foliage  of  the  trees  that  objects  a  dozen  feet  from  the  eye 
grew  misty  and  indistinct,  and  ten  minutes  later  could 
:  not  be  discerned  at  all. 

The  hunters  now  set  forward  again — Wetzel,  as  us- 
.  ual,  taking  the  lead,  but  treading  the  earth  so  lightly 
as  not  to  make  the  least  sound-  In  this  way  he  had  ad 
vanced  something  like  a  mile,  with  Albert  close  behind, 
stepping  in  his  very  tracks,  when  all  at  once  he  stopped 
and  taking  the  other  by  the  arm,  whispered: 

"Hist!  we've  got  'em.  Don't  make  no  noise,  on 
your  life.  Yonder  I  can  see  the  fire-light." 

Albert  looked  through  a  little  opening  there  was  be- 
:  fore  him,  and  at  a  distance  of  not  more  than  a  hundred 
yards  beheld  the  ruddy  light  of  the  fire  upon  the  dark 
green  leaves  and  boughs  of  the  trees  above  it — the  fire 
itself,  and  those  around  it,  being  concealed  from  his  view 
'  by  a  little  hillock  that  intervened, 
CHAPTER  VI. 

Camp  of  the  Enemy. 

"Now  don't  disgrace  your  larnin', lad! "said  Wetzel, 
In  a  low,  emphatic  tone.  "You've  got  to  be  guided  by 
me  in  all  things,  or  else  we'll  hev  our  jarney  for  nothin', 

•  onless  it  be  to  lose  our  own  scalps." 

"Well,, what  do  you  advise?"  inquired  Albert,  with 
the  eager  impatience  of  a  lover  who  is  about  to  rescue 
frort;  peril  the  be:ng  he  above-  all  others  adores. 

"Why,  we  must  reconniter  the  inemy  carefully;  and 
then  ef  we  find  'em  all  snug  and  right  we'll " 

"I  see!"  interrupted  Albert,  hastily  "we'll  rush 
upon  them,  shof/t  down  the  first  we  come  to,  liberate  the 
girl,  and  " 


58  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

"Git  your  brains  blowed  out  for  bein'  a fool!"" 

interrupted  Wetzel,  in  turn.  "No  master  Albert — sich. 
may  be  a  lover's  notions  o'  fightin'  Injens — but  any 
body  that's  fou't  with  'em  as  much  as  I  hev,  knows  a 
heap  better.  No,  no,  young  man — you  don't  understand 
it  yit,  it  seems,  and  that's  the  reason  I  want  you  to  do- 
jest  as  I  tell  ye,  and  nothin'  else." 

"Well,  out  with  it;  for  I'm  dying  to  see  my  own. 
Forest  Rose." 

"Yes,  and  it's  maybe  you"ll  die  afore  ye  see  her,  ef 
you  don't  make  lower  speeches.  "You  forgit  tha's  a  ii:emy 
nigh,  with  sharp  ears,  don't  ye?  No,  when  we've  diskiv- 
ered  that  all's  right,  we'll  jest  lay  back  in  the  dark  and 
watch  till  moruin',  and  then  we'll  fotch  every  red-skin 
thar." 

"What!     and     leave     poor     Rose     another  night     of 
agony?" 

"Yes,  for  that  we  can't  help,  ef  we  go  right  to  work; 
and  ef  we  don't,  it'll  be  all  the  wosser  for  all  on  us.  The 
fact  o'  the  matter  is  jest  this,  and  nothn'  else:  Ef  we  at 
tack  the  Injens  now  we  can't  kill  more'n  two  on  'em  at 
a  single  shot,,  and  the  others  will  take  to  kiver,  whar 
they'll  be  ready  to  do  us  jest  sich  another  turn  when  we 
p;it  vithiu  the  light  of  the  fire,  as  we'll  have  to  do  to 
fotch  the  gal  clar  of  'em.  We  can't  foller  Injens  in  the 
dark,  in  course — case  why — we're  not  owls,  or  wolves, 
and  can't  see.  Well,  to  say  the  least  on't,  they'll  git 
away  from  us,  and  ayther  set  off  to  get  company  or  else 
they'll  prowl  around  for  a  shot.  This,  ye  see,  won't  do, 
no  how — for  we  want  every  scalp  the  red  niggers  hev 
r?ot-  -and  Killnigger  here  is  fa'rly  itching  to  go  off  half- 
cocked.  Ef  we  wait  till  daylight  I've  got  a  plan  that'll 
fotch  'em  all,  and  no  mistake.  Dye  understand  now?" 

"Of  course  I  must  be  guided  by  you,  and  your  obser 
vations  are  plausible;  though  it  is  hard  to  think  of  re 
maining  all  night  in  sight  of  the  enemy,  and  poor1  Rose, 
wthout  striking  a  single  blow,  either  for  revenge  or  in. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  59 

her  defense." 

"It  is  hard,  I'll  allow — it's  powerful  hard  for  me  and 
you  both — but  it's  the  only  way,  you  may  depind  on't, 

to  sarcumvent  the  redskins.  And  now  that  all's 

settled,  we'll  go  forward  and  reconnoitre." 

Wetzel  now  took  the  lead,  as  usual,  cautioning  his 
young  friend,  who  came  close  behnd,  not  to  forget  him 
self,  when  he  came  in  sight  of  the  girl,  and  betray  his 
presence  to  a  watchful  enemy,  as  everything  now  depend 
ed  on  prudence. 

We  shall  not  stop  to  analyze  the  feelings  of  our  hero 
as  he  moved  with  the  stealthy  pace  of  a  crouching  pan 
ther,  about  to  spring  on  his  prey,  toward  her  in  whom 
Iiis  very  existence,  as  it  were,  was  bound  up.  Suffice  it 
to  say,  that  his  heart  beat  almost  audibly,  and  that  sever 
al  times  he  was  forced  to  stop  to  still  his  nerves,  lest  his 
trembling  steps  should  give  out  a  sound  that  might  betray 
him  to  everlistening  ears.  Although  the  distance  from 
where  the  light  was  first  discovered,  to  the  brow  of  the 
little  hillock,  where  could  be  had  a  full  view  of  the  camp, 
was  considerably  less  than  a  hundred  yards,  yet  so  slow 
ly  and  cautiously  did  our  hunters  move  (carefully  part 
ing  each  bush,  and,  when  past,  easing  it  back  to  its  place, 
so  as  not  to  cause  the  least  sound)  that  some  ten  or  fif 
teen  minutes  were  consumed  before  they  reached  the  de 
sired  position.  But  this  was  at  last  effected,  and  without 
alarming  the  enemy.  Creeping  to  the  brow  of  the  knoll, 
which,  fortunately  for  their  purpose,  was  thickly  cov 
ered  with  shrubbery  and  heavy  foliage,  they  laid  them 
selves  flat  upon  the  ground,  with  their  heads  only  on  a 
level  with  the  summit,  and,  carefully  parting  the  tang 
led  bushes,  peered  into  the  camp  of  the  enemy. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  reiterated  charges  of  Wet 
zel  to  Albert  with  regard  to  caution,  no  sooner  did  the 
latter  get  a  full  view  of  what  was  before  him  than  a  cry, 
half  of  rage  and  half  of  joy,  rose  to  his  lips,  and  was  only 
suppressed  by  a  master  effort;  yet  not  without  a  sound 


60  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

something  like  a  smothered  groan,  which,  fortunately, 
a  light  air  stirring  the  leaves,  and  the  preoccupation  of 
the  savages,  together  with  a  feeing  of  security,  prevent 
ed  the  latter  from  hearing.  Instantly  Albert  felt  the 
revere  pressure  of  Wetzel's  grasp  upon  his  arm,  and  a 
Tow,  emphatic  "Hist!"  sounded  in  his  ear,  putting  him 
doubly  on  his  g-uard  for  the  future. 

But  the  sight  he  beheld  was  well  calculated  to  throw 
a  more  experienced  hunter  than  himself,  provided  he  was 
similarly  circumstanced,  off  his  guard.  The  scene  we 
shall  row  proceed  to  describe. 

A  fire  had  been  kindled  under  a  large  beech,  whose 
dense  foliage — united  with  that  of  trees  of  small  growth, 
whose  limbs  and  branches  interlocked — formed  a  Com 
plete  canony,  through  which  not  even  a  star  was  visible. 
In  front  of  the  beech,  and  between  it  and  the  fire,  a 
stake  had  been  driven  firmly  into  the  earth;  and  to  this 
stake  little  T?ose  Forester  was  bound,  by  a  strip  of  deer 
Fkin  being  fastened  to  a  ligature  which  passed  around 
her  alkies;  thud  depriving  her  of  the  use  of  her  feet, 
while  her  hands  were  left  at  liberty.  She  was,  in  conse 
quence,  sitting  upon  the  ground,  with  her  bark  to  the 
stake.  Her  features  were  pale  and  grief-worn,  and  alto 
gether  she  bar!  a  very  forlorn,  hopeless  look.  She  had 
cried  till  her  eyes  had  become  dry,  and  were  now,  in  con- 
seouence,  swollen,  feverish,  and  red;  and  yet  she  was 
moaning  still — uttering  those  low,  mournful,  choking 
sounds  and  sobs,  which  proceeded  from  a  seemingly  in 
curable  sorrow,  when  nature  has  become  completely  ex 
hausted.  Her  glossy,  raven  hair,  usually  arranged  with 
great  taste  and  care,  was  now  disheveled,  and  swept  down 
Her  pale  fa--e  and  neck  in  utter  confusion,  occasionally 
swaying  back  anc1  forth  as  the  night  breeze  blew  heavier 
or  lighter.  Her  dress — a  check  calico,  which  had  been 
purchased  of  some  traders,  and  presented  her  by  Albert, 
and  which  he'1  o\vn  skill  and  fair  fingers  had  made  and 
iittec!  neatly  to  her  figure — was  now  torn  with  brambles^. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  61 

and  otherwise  materially  disarranged,  though  by  no 
means  so  as  to  expose  her  person  improperly.  On  her  feet, 
when  setting  out  on  rhis  painful  journey,  she  had  worn 
light  moccasin  slippers;  but  these  had  long  since  given 
tut;  and  her  feet  had  been  shockingly  torn,  and  cut  and 
were  DOW  swollen  and  bleeding,  causing  her  great  physi 
cal  pair.  Altop ether,  she  was  a  pitiable  object;  and 
when  we  tako  into  consideration  the  horrible  scene  she 
had  witnessed  in  the  murder  of  her  friends — her  iong, 
--edious  march  through  a  pathless  wilderness —  iier  pres 
ent  painful  condition,  and  the  seemingly  hopeless  and 
itioro  terrible  future  that  lay  before  her — some  i'aint  idea 
of  her  own  feelings,  and  those  of  her  lover  (who  now  he 
ft  eld  her,  tut  whom  she  imagined  far  away — if,  indeed, 
he  were  living  at  all)  may  be  formed  by  the  generous - 
minded  reader. 

The  captors  of  Rose  were  four  in  number,  three  of 
whom  were  Indians,  and  the  fourth  a  white  renegade,  as 
nad  been  conjectured  by  Wetzel.  They  were  seated  in  a 
half  circle  near  '.lie  i.ro,  so  DP  tr  face-  their  prisoner,  aa-l 
consequently  wic»i  their  bad's  tow;  rt!  our  friend?,  who 
thus,  at  the  most  could  only  get  a  view  of  their  side  faces. 

They  were  a  hideous  looking  party,  the  Indians 
themselves  being  nearly  naked;  and  what  little  covering 
they  had  consisted  of  untanned  skins,  with  their  liair  side 
out,  belted  around  the  waist,  and  reaching  a  little  beiow 
the  hip,  with  leg-gins  of  the  same  below  the  knees,,  and 
coarse  moooasions  on  their  feet — all  the  rest  of  their  per 
sons,  their  brawny  chests  and  arms,  being  as  nude  as  na 
ture  made  them,  save  the  thick  coats  of  coarse  black 
paint,  which  had  been  daubed  on  in  streaks  to  suit  Indian 
fancv,  while  preparing  for  the  bloody  war-path.  They 
wore  no  ornaments  whatever,  if  we  except  a  few  gaudy 
feathers  attached  to  their  long,  dirty,  greasy-looking 
scalp-locks  The  renegade  was  costumed,  if  we  may  use 
the  word  in  this  connection,  like  his  companions,  with 
thi*  difference,  that  his  person  was  more  generally  cover 
ed,  and  that  he  had  totally  avoided  the  use  of  paint — 


62  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

doubtless  taking  it  for  granted  that  his  own  villainous 
features  would  have  terror  enough  for  his  foes  without 
the  assistance  of  art.  He  was  a  low,  square-built  man, 
pome  thirty  years  of  age,  with  red  hair,  and  a  counten 
ance  every  woy  repulsive;  and  from  his  general  appear 
ance,  Albert  judged  him  to  be  the  same  person  Rose  had 
described  as  stopping  at  the  cabin,  and  procuring  a  ttrink 
of  water,  and  whose  trail  he  had  followed  on  the  day 
when  he  so  opportunely  fell  in  with  Lewis  Wetzel.  Un 
like  the  Indians,  the  renegade  wore  a  cap  of  the  skin  of 
some  wild  beast — but  this  was  now  lying  on  the  ground 
beside  him.  Each  wore  a  belt  around  his  waist,  in  which 
were  stuck  the  usual  accompaniments  of  Indian  warefare. 
the  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife.  Their  rifles  were  eith- 
<r  lying  across  their  laps  or  the  ground  beside  them;  but 
otherwise  they  were  totally  unguarded,  and  seemed  un 
suspicious  of  danger.  And.  withal,  they  were  in  rather 
an  agreeable  mood;  for  they  talked  and  laugned  in  low 
tones  a.-;  they  tort-  off  pieces  of  jerk  and  devoured  them 
with  the  greediness  occasioned  by  long  fasting. 

Wetzel  who  was  familiar  with  all  the  tribes  of  the 
Northwest  Territory  at  once  recognized  them  by  their 
war-paint  and  dialoct  to  be  a  scouting  party  of  VVyan- 
dotts  detached  from  a  larger  body  which  he  feared 
might  now  be  in  the  vicinity.  He  understood  a  smatter 
ing  of  the  Hviron  language;  and  from  now  and  then  an 
expression  he  could  overhear  his  fears  were  in  a  p.reat 
measure  confirmed .  though  he  took  care  not  to  mako  it 
known  to  his  companion  who  was  already  sufficiently  ex 
cited  by  what  he  beheld 

After  chatting  laughing  and  eating  some  timo  in 
their  own  peculiar  way  one  of  the  warriors  arose,  and 
detaching  a  gourd  from  his  girdle,  proceeded  to  the 
creek  to  fill  it,  and  leaving  his  rifle  behind.  The  idea 
now  flashed  across  the  mind  of  the  old  hunter  that  by 
stealing  after  tbe  indian,  giving  him  a  deadly  blow,  and 
then  waiting  where  he  fell  till  another  should  come  to 
look  t<)T  him,  lie  might  in  this  way  make  himself  master 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  63 

of  the  party.  But  a  little  reflection  convinced  him  that 
ft  would  be  safest  to  wait  till  morning — as  a  single  mis 
take  would  spoil  his  plan — and  there  was  no  certain  de 
pendence  to  be  placed  on  Albert,  who  was  not  only 
voung,  inexperienced,  but  moreover,  a  lover,  and  under 
circumstances  calculated  to  destroy  his  coolness  and 
make  him  piecipitate  and  rash.  Therefore,  the  Indian 
was  allowed  to  fill  his  gourd  unmolested;  but  as,  on  his 
leturn,  he  passed  \vitliin  ten  feet  of  where  our  friends 
were  concealed,  and  in  plain,  open  view,  it  required  no 
smal'  effort.,  on  the  part  of  Albert,  to  avoid  giving  him 
the  contents  of  his  rifle,  over  the  barrel  of  which  his 
fingers  worked  convulsively. 

But  he  restrained  his  eager  desire,  only  to  find  him- 
seft  shortlv  after  put  to  a  much  severer  test;  for  on  the 
return  of  the  savage  to  his  party,  with  the  gourd,  a  tall, 
athletic  Indian  arose,  and  after  taking  a  drink,  stepped 
around  to  Rose  and  reached  it  to  her.  By  this  change  in 
his  position  his  face  was  brought  fronting  our  friends, 
with  the  fire  between  him  and  them,  and  shinning  full 
upon  his  person :  and  now  it  was,  to  the  horror  of  Al 
bert,  h^.  beheld  two  scalps  tanging  at  his  girdle,  which, 
by  the  hair,  he  recognized  as  those  of  his  own  late  dear 
mother  and  mister.  He  groaned,  for  he  could  not  help  it; 
but  a  pressure  on  the  arm  from  Wetzel  warned  him  that 
he  must  not  indulge  in  even  this  mode  of  giving  vent  to 
his  griefs,  while  so  near  the  authors  of  all  his  sorrow. 
But  he  was  destined  to  oe  tried  still  further. 

Rose  took  the  gourd  from  the  Indian,  and  drank 
freely,  and  then  handed  it  back  to  him,  whereupon  he 
gave  a  satisfied  grunt  of  pleasure.  Then  he  offered  her 
some  jerk,  but  she  waived  it  away  with  an  expression  of 
loathing. 

"Ugh!"  grunted  the  savage,  who  could  sj>eak  a  very 
little  English.  "Must  eat!  Not  eat — him  die." 

"fiod  send  I  may  die!"  exclaimed  Rose,  "rather  than 
live  in  such  company.  Why  did  you  not  murder  me  along 
with  my  friends?" 


64  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

Injun  no  want  to  kill  Forest  Rose,"  replied  the  sav 
age,  eithei  from  a  previous  knowledge  of  her  soubriquet, 
or  a  remarkable  coincidence,  calling  her  by  this,  to  Al- 
b-Tt:  dear  appellation.  "No!  him  make  fine  squaw  for 
warrior — for  some  day  chief.  Hoe  corn,  bring  water, 
cook  meat,  take  -^aie  pappoose.  Eat  him — good!"  and  he 
again  offered  her  the  meat. 

"F  will  not  touch  it,''  said  Rose,  firmly. 

'Then  mv  Vill — take  scalp!'  cried  the  other,  sud 
denly  ra'sing  the  hatchet  as  if  about  to  strike. 

"Hold  now,  none  o' that!"  cried  the  renegade,  sud 
denly,  springing  up  and  advancing  to  the  other,  at  the 
same  time  that  Albert,  laboring  under  the  most  intense 
eicitement,  was  about  bringing  his  rifle  to  bear  upon  the 
savage,  with  the  intention  of  firing,  let  what  would  be 
the  consequences.  "None  of  that,  I  say! — she's  my  prop 
erty,  by  right  of  discovery — and,  by !  I'm  going  to 

keep  her!" 

Hin;  no  eat — me  scrtre — no  kill,"  replied  the  Indian; 
and  then  he  said  something  in  Huron,  which  our  friond.s 
did  not  understand,  and  walked  back  to  his  place  at  the 
fire. 

A.S  a  precaution,  after  witnessing  the  scene  just  de 
scribed,  both  Lewis  and  Albert  brought  their  rifles  to 
bear  upon  the  savages,  so  that  any  demonstration  of  vio- 
1ence  toward  little  Rose  might  meet  with  a  summary 
punishment.  And  wnen  Albert  got  a  full  view  of  the 
renegade,  as  he  took  the  Indian's  place  by  the  side  of 
Rose,  and  boheld  two  more  scalps  at  his  girdle,  which  he 
doubted  not  were  those  of  his  father  and  brother,  it  re 
quired  all  the  self-possession  he  was  master  of  to  pre 
vent  liira  pullit.g  the  trigger  and  sending  him  to  his  last 
account 

"Why  in  h— -1  don't  you  eat  something?"  ne  demand 
ed  of  Rose,  in  a  crair^e,  bullying  tone.  "D'ye  want  to 
starve  yourself  to  death?" 

'I  have  no  desire  for  food,"  replied  the  other  faintly; 
•'and  as  for  death,  I  would  rather  die  than  l:ve." 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  65 

"But  you  hain't  touched  scarcely  a  morsel  for 
more'n  twenty -four  hours;  and  that's  the  reason  you're 
uo  weak,  and  lag  behind  so.  It  won't  do.  I  tell  ye  you 
must  eat  something  or " 

Here  the  renegade  put  his  mouth  to  the  ear  of  the 
other,  and  concluded  the  eentence  in  a  tone  too  low  to  be 
heard  by  any  but  the  girl  herself.  But  the  communica 
tion,  whatever  it  was,  was  evidently  a  startling  one.  for 
little  Rose  uttered  an  exclamation  of  horror,  and  the 
words : 

•'Oh!  that  it  would  be  worse  than  death  a  hundred 
times!  Bring  mo  the  food.  I  will  eat  it  if  it  kills  mo." 

"Now  you  lalk  sensible,",  was  the  renegades  reply; 
and  he  placed  the  meat  in  her  lap,  and  moving  away, 
;oined  his  companions;  and  from  the  communication  he 
made  to  them,  and  the  biugh  which  followed,  it  was  evi 
dent  that  the  captors  of  Rose  were  making  themselves 
merr  T  at  her  expense 

Some  half  an  hour  more  elapsed,  during  which  the 
Indians  sat  around  the  fire,  talking  and  smoking,  when 
the  leadui  of  the  party  signified  it  was  time  to  camp 
down.  All  immediately  arose;  and  while  one  went  fot 
more  fuel,  another  stirred  the  fire,  a  third  examined  the 
priming:  of  the  rifles,  and  the  fourth,  the  renegade,  pro 
ceeded  to  fasten  Rose  beyond  the  possibility  of  escape. 
For  rhis  purprse  he  made  her  place  her  hands  behind  her; 
and  then,  with  a  stout  thong  of  deer-skin,  he  tied  her 
delicate  wrists  together,  so  that  she  could  make  no  use 
of  her  hands  whatever.  To  this  thong  he  then  tied  an 
other  strip  of  deer-skin,  which  he  made  fast  to  the  stake, 
thus  literally  binding  hor  hand  and  foot,  as  though  she 
were  some  bold,  intrepid  warrior,  instead  of  a  weak,  de 
fenseless  girl. 

Having  at  last  arranged  everything  to  their  satis 
faction,  the  savages  laid  down  upon  the  earth,  one  on 
either  side  of  Rose  (for  in  the  category  of  savages  we 
mvst  plac-o  til  3  renegade,  though  not  an  Indian),  and  the 
othor  two  a  little  further  off,  and  on  opposite  sides  of  the 


65  THE   FOREST   ROSE 

fire.  Thus  disposed,  sorr.e  half  an  hour  more  elapsed,  by 
which  time  all  gave  evidence  of  being  asleep,  or  at  least 
in  that  peculiar  drowsy  state,  or  slumber,  whereby  the 
Indian  gains  rest  when  on  the  war-path.  All  this  time 
our  friends  had  been  watching  them  intently;  but  mak 
ing  a  signal  to  Wetzel  that  he  now  had  something  to  com 
municate,  Albert  carsfully  withdrew  on  his  own  side  of 
the  hillock,  and  the  old  hunter  as  carefully  followed. 

When  a  sufficient  distance  from  the  camp  had  been 
gained,  to  admit  of  his  speaking  without  being  over 
heard  by  the  enemy,  the  former  said,  in  a  low  tone: 

"Wetzel,  my  friend,  be  the  consequences  what  they 
may,  poor  little  Rose  must  be  liberated  before  morning. 
I  cannot  endure  the  thought  of  her  passing  the  night  in 
such  a  horrible  manner.  Great  heaven!  only  think 
what  she  must  have  suffered,  and  is  suffering  now?" 

'"I  don't  like  it  any  better'n  you  do,"  replied  the  oth 
er,  grave'y;  "but  it'll  never  do  tc  try  to  git  her  away  with 
all  them  thar  cusses  piled  up  around  her,  you  may  de- 
pind,  on  the  honor  of  a  white  gintleman.  Ef  we  oou'd 
<:reep  in  upon  'em.  and  kill  'em  all,  it  'ud  be  all  right; 
but  it  can't  be  did.  I've  tried  Injens  afore,  and  I  knows 
exactly  how  they  sleep,  with  one  eye  or  t'other  al'ays 
open,  the  rod  varmints!  No,  Master  Albert,  we'll  hev  to 
wait,  sure — thar's  no  other  way  in  reason,  and  every 
thing  else  is  again,  natur',  cl'ar." 

"I  tell  you,  Wetzel.  it  must  be  done!  '  rejoined  Al 
beit,  emphatically.  "It  will  be  a  risk,  I  know — but  pres 
ent  circumstances  demand  it.  I  had  counted  on  your 
assistance;  but  if  you  refuse  to  aid  me,  I  will  venture 
alone.  Poor  Rose  must  and  shall  be  liberated  if  it  2osts 
my  life." 

"Thar,  that's  It — if  it  costs  your  life,"  returned,  the 
other  caustically.  "Them's  the  words  exactly — ef  it  costs 
your  life;  and  't  will  cost  your  life  or  hern,  or  I  don't 
know  nothin'  about  pale  and  emaciated  she  look,  my 
friend;  3rou  saw  how  she  was  grieving;  and  you  heard  the 
words  of  the  renegade  that  she  had  not  tasted  food.  Oh! 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  67 

if  I  could  only  let  her  know  I  am  here!  Would  to  God 
I  could  take  her  place!  Come,  my  friend,  th?nk  serious 
ly — there  is  ro  way  I  can  make  Injens.  Boy.  you're 
aythcr  niad  or  a  fool,  and  that  ain't  much  difference 
atwixt  'em,  as  I  look  at  it.  S'posen  you  git  killed,  or  the 
gal  gits  killed,  or  both  on  you  gets  killed,  will  you  be  any 
better  off  than  you  is  now7  Ef  you  gits  killed  who'll  be 
left  to  tike  care  o'  the  gal?  Ef  she  gits  killedx  who'll 
you  hev  to  take  car'  on  !<nd  make  ye  happy?  No.  Master 
Albert,  you're  excited,  and  don't  know  when  you're  well 
off.  You've  got  no  more  injen  judgment  in  ye  now  nor  a 
greenhorn  jest  from  the  settlements.  But  howsomcver, 
ef  you've  made  up  your  mir>d,  I  ain't  a  goin'  to  stop  you, 
so  go  ahead;  but  if  ye  gits  into  difficulty,  don't  blame 
me." 

"I  see:  T  ?ee!"  said  Albert,  sadly.  "It  cannot  be  done. 
As  you  say,  Wetzel,  I  am  excited,  and  so  distracted  I  hard 
ly  know  what  1  am  about.  Alas!  poor  Rose!  poor  Rose! 
If  I  coijld  or.ly  let  her  know  I  am  here  it  would  be  some 
thing  gained ;  for  then  she  would  have  hope  to  sustain 
her  tnrongli  this  nigbt  of  suffering.  As  it  is,  I  fear  she 
may  faint  and  riie.  You  see  no  way  of  making  my  pres 
ence  known  without  endangering  our  plan?" 

"It's  risky  business,"  replied  the  other,  "a  powerful 
risky  business;  but  ef  you're  set  upon  it  I'll  do 
what  T  can  for  you.  The  gal  I  don't  believe's  asleep — 
though  she  pretends  to  be — and  it's  possible  you  mought 
make  a  sound  that  'ud  be  comprehended  by  her,  without 
vakin'  r,he  cussed  varmints  that's  about  her — though's  I 
said  afore  ir.'s  a  powerful  risky  business,  and  a  miss 
mo  iphl  ruin  everything.  D'ye  know  any  familiar  sound 
atwixt  ye,  that  a  sleepin'  savage  might  mistake  for  a 
animal,  and  she  know  the  difference?" 

"I  have  often  sat  with  her,  on  a  moonlight  night, 
besi'le  a  rivulet,  whose  soft  murmurs  sounded  sweetly  to 
the  ear,  arid  imitated  the  gentle  whip-poor-will,"  replied 
t'ie  other,  eagerly. 

"That     in  ought  Jo— -though  the  bird  ain't  so     com- 


68  THE  FOREST   ROSE 

mor>  horo  as  'tis  in  someplace;  but  I've  heard  'em;  and 
so  ef  you  try  anything,  better  try  that." 

It  was  now  arranged  between  our  two  friends  that 
both  should  creep  back  and  examine  the  camp,  and  if  all 
were  quiet  that  Albert  should  leave  his  rifle  with  Wetzel, 
and,  making  a  stealthy  circuit,  should  come  up  behind 
the  beech,  and  guardedly  sound  the  mellifluous  notes  of 
that  sweet  songster  of  the  night,  whose  music  consists  in 
repeating  its  own  melodious  name;  while  the  old  hunter, 
with  both  riflas  in  his  possession,  should  keep  a  close 
watch  on  the  savages,  and  be  ready  to  do  his  work  of 
death  in  the  event  of  an/  sudden  alarm. 
CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Signal  and  Surprise. 

The  camp  was  found  all  quiet,  as  our  friends  had  left 
it.  The  swarthy  savages  were  stretched  upon  the  ground 
in  the  same  position,  as  though  they  had  not  stirred  hand 
or  foot  since  settling  themselves  down  to  sleep.  The  fire 
was  still  burning  brightly  in  the  center,  its  ruddy  Maze 
Mghting  ur  a  small  circle  of  the  dense  forest,  and  giving 
bold  relief  to  one  side  of  the  swarthy  figures  on  the 
ground,  and  burying  the  other  in  shadow.  For  a  consid 
erable  distance  around  the  trunks  of  the  trees  were  re 
vealed,  standing  like  rude  columns  in  nature's  temple  to 
support  the  heavy  canopy  of  dark  green  leaves  above. 
Near  the  fire  they  stood  minutely  revealed;  but  as  they 
retre»ited  from  the  vision  toward  the  outer  circle  they 
grew  more  and  more  dim,  till  at  last  they  were  lost  to  the 
eye,  and  blended  with  the  surrounding  darkness,  wnich 
formed  a  background  to  the  picture.  Altogether  the 
poene  was  highly  picturesque — with  the  trees —  the  fol 
iage — the  dark  waters  of  the  creek,  faintly  seen  on  one 
«ide — the  sleeping  savages — the  stake,  and  the  poor  pris 
oner  girl  lying  bound — all  heightened  in  effect  by  the 
ruddy  light  of  a  flickering  fire- -and  would  have  made 
a  desirable  study  for  our  own  bold,  indefatigable,  and 
talented  Indian  artist,  Stanley. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  69 

Rose  was  lying  on  her  side,  in  a  very  uncomfortable 
position,  with  her  hands  drawn  behind  her,  and  her  head 
partly  resting  against  the  stake,  the  only  pillow  she  had 
to  support  it  fiom  the  damp  earth.  Her  face  was  inclined 
from  the  fire,  and  her  features  were  in  shadow,  so  that  it 
was  impossible  for  our  friends  to  discover,  from  their 
point  of  observation,  whether  s-'he  was  asleep  or  awake: 
they  judged  tho  latter;  though,  if  asleep,  they  knew  it 
must  be  a  li^ht  and  troubled  one — for  occasionally  she 
moaned  piteously,  and  uttered  a  long-drawn,  sobbing  sigh, 
like  a  child  that  has  cried  itself  to  forgetfulness.  Each 
moan  and  sigh  went  to  the  heart  of  Albert  like  a  dag 
ger,  and  made  "\\  etzel  tremble  for  the  result  of  the  young 
man's  experiment,  lest,  under  the  excitement  of  a  recog 
nition,  all  danger  for  the  moment  should  be  forgotten, 
and  <tn  unguarded  act  either  put  them  in  the  power  of 
tho  savages  or  warn  the  latter  of  the  presence  of  an  en 
emy,  and  thus  destroy  his  own  plan  of  killing  all — and, 
it  mi^ht  be,  also,  result  in  something  serious  and  fatal  to 
those  whose  interests  he  had  so  generously  taken  to 
heart. 

"Well,  this  comes  o'  having  a  lovyer  on  the  trail,"  he 
said,  mentally.  "They  ain't  fit  for  nothin'  when  thar 
partikelar  gal  is  in  danger  but  to  blunder  in  and  spile 
all  a  cool-headed  feller  has  fixed  to  help  'em.  Now  I've 
give  advice,  and  what's  the  upshot  on't?  This  here  youth 
won't  take  it.,  and  he'll  hev  to  hev  his  own  way.  Well, 
ef  he  gits  killed  tain't  my  fault;  though  I'd  hate  to  lose 
him  most  powerful,  for  thar's  a  heap  o'  fellers  nought 
be  spared  much  better  nor  Maywood." 

Wetzel  now  cautioned  his  friend,  partly  by  signs  and 
partly  in  whispers,  to  use  the  utmost  care,  and  in  no 
^ase  to  let  his  feelings  get  the  better  of  a  cool  judgment. 
The  other  promised  compliance;  and  then,  with  a  beating 
heart,  slowly  and  silently  withdrew.  The  old  hunter  now 
brought  both  rjfles  into  such  a  position  that  he  could  dis 
charge  them  in  quick  succession,  with  fatal  aim,  should 
there  change  to  be  an  alarm;  and  then,  with  compressed 


70  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

lips,  and  a  secret  dread  of  consequences,  he  waited  in  si- 
•  ence,  with  the  senses  of  seeing  and  hearing  both  active 
ly  employed. 

Minute  after  minute  of  almost  breathless  suspense 
went  by,  and  yet  no  sounds  but  the  solemn  roar  of  the 
deep  forest,  the  rustling  of  the  leaves  to  a  gentle  night 
breeze,  tbe  occasional  snapping  of  a  spark,  or  crackling 
of  the  flame,  and  now  and  then  a  sigh  or  a  moan  from 
the  poor  prisoner,  disturbed  the  silence;  and  nothing  was 
seen  to  move,  save  now  and  then  a  leg  or  an  arm  of  some 
savage  who  stirred  in  his  sleep. 

At  last  the  suspense  became  almost  painful;  and  the 
old  hunter  was  forced  to  admit,  much  against  his  Avill, 
that  it  had  an  effect  upon  his  nerves,  such  as  he  had  sel 
dom  experienced  in  all  the  trying  scenes  through  which 
he  had  passed,  and  their  name  was  legion.  And  a  little 
episode  in  his  life,  which  it  may  not  be  improper  here  to 
relate,  will  show  that  for  coolness  and  intrepidity  he  had 
few  equals  and  no  superiors. 

He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  though  his  par 
ents  were  foreigners,  who  had  removed  to  that  State  at 
a  period  when  Indian  depredations  extended  further  Jilast 
that?  at  the  date  of  our  story.  When  quite  a  youth  Lewis 
and  his  brother  were  captured  by  a  party  of  Indians  and 
taken  off  into  the  pathless  wilderness.  One  nigbt  the 
savages,  thinking  their  prisoners  would  be  secure  with 
out  binding,  made  them  lie  down,  and  then  laid  them 
selves  down  on  either  side  of  them,  so  that  it  seemed  im 
possible  for  the  boys  to  stir  without  awaking  their  cap 
tors.  Lewis  feigned  sleop,  and  so  did  his  brother,  and  the 
savages  went  to  sleep  in  earnest.  As  soon  as  the  proper 
moment  arrived  Lewis  carefully  arose,  passed  over  the 
bodies  of  the  sleepers,  and  beckoned  his  brother  to  fol 
low.  The  latter  did  so;  and  in  a  few  moments  these 
mere  boys  (for  at  this  time  Lewis  was  not  more  than  ten 
years  of  age  and  his  brother  only  a  year  or  two  his  sen 
ior)  found  themselves  free,  but  surrounded  by  darkless. 
in  a  trackless  wilderness,  full  of  lurking  foes,  both  wild 


THE  FOREST   ROSE  71 

beasts  and  Indians,  without  a  guide,  a  knowledge  where 
to  go,  or  a  single  weapon  of  defense.  But,  nothing  daunt 
ed,  the  voung  Spartans  held  a  council  of  war,  in  which 
it  was  decided  that,  without  a  rifle  to  kill  game,  they 
would  be  in  danger  of  starvation,  and  that  one  must  be 
procured  at  all  hazards.  Lewis  bade  his  brother  await 
nis  return,  and  immediately  went  back  to  the  camp,  and 
stealthily  took  from  his  captors  two  rifles,  some  ammuni 
tion,  and  a  few  pieces  of  jerk,  with  which  he  returned 
T,O  his  companion.  They  then  actually  held  a  consulta 
tion  MS  to  whether  they  should  attempt  to  kill  the  sleep 
ing  warriors  or  leave  them  undisturbed;  but  wisely  came 
to  the  latter  determination,  and  set  out,  taking  a  certain 
star  for  a  guide.  After  a  long,  tedious  march,  and  a  good 
deal  of  suffering,  they  reached  a  settlement,  where  they 
told  their  story,  and  were  tlience  forwarded  to  their 
friends. 

This  was  one  of  the  first  of  Lewis  Wetzel's  adven 
tures;  but  ever  after  he  was  the  inveterate  foe  of  the  In 
dians;  and  for  many  years  pursued  them  with  unrelent 
ing  hatred;  while  his  name  became  famous  on  the  fron 
tiers  among  the  whites,  and  a  word  of  terror  to  the 
savages. 

But  to  return  from  this  digression. 

Five,  ten,  fifteen  minutes  elapsed,  and  yet  no 
sound  of  the  v  hip-poor-will  Avas  heard;  and  even  the  old 
Imnter,  a  pattern  of  prudence,  began  to  think  that  his 
caution  to  Albert,  not  to  be  rash,  was  either  a  needless 
one  or  that  the  other  was  following  his  injunctions  to  the 
very  letter,  and  consequently  bevond  the  spirit  of  their 
meaning.  At  length  Wetzel  began  to  grow  impatient, 
i-nd  then  unensy,  at  this  long  silence;  and  he  had  half  de 
termined  to  abandon  his  position,  and  go  in  quest  of  his 
friend,  Avhen  the  soft,  musical  notes  of  the  whip-poor-will 
Bounded  clear  and  distinct  through  the  arches  of  the 
great  forest;  and  so  perfect  was  the  imitation  that  even 
the  old  hunter  was  more  than  half  inclined  TO  believe  it 
was  produced  by  the  real  bird  itself,  and  not  by  his 


72  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

friend  at  all. 

At  the  first  notes  one  of  the  Indians,  lying  next  to 
the  prisoner,  raised  his  head  and  listened;  but  even  he 
was  deceived;  and,  turning  over,  he  again  composed  him 
self  to  sleep. 

For  some  minutes  the  sound  had  no  visible  effect 
upon  Rose,  although  it  was  evident  she  heard  it;  for 
when  the  Indian  moved  she  changed  her  position  also, 
and  dropped  her  head  from  against  the  stake  to  the 
ground..  The  song  of  the  bird  ceased,  and  for  some  mo 
ments  all  wa.s  silent;  then  it  commenced  again,  in  a  low 
er,  softer,  and  more  plaintive  strain,  and  gradually  the 
notes  quavered. 

On  hearing  this  Rose  raised  her  head  quickly,  and 
looked  hurriedly  about  her,  and  then  turned  her  eyes  to 
ward  the  tree.  Wetzel  now  heard  a  low  "Hist!"  and  saw 
the  girl  drop  to  the  ground  and  tremble  as  if  she  had 
seen  some  terrible  sight. 

At  this  the  renegade  started  up  on  his  hands,  and, 
after  looking  drowsily  around  him,  fixed  his  gaze  upon  his 
prisoner,  and  in  a  rough  tone  demanded: 

"What  in  tho  h — 1  is  the  matter  with  you?" 

"Rose  made  no  reply;  and  after  gazing  at  her  for  a 
moment  or  two  his  head  began  to  nod,  and  he  dropped 
down  with  an  oath,  in  which  he  invoked  eternal  torments 
on  all  troublesome  prisoners;  and  before  the  words  were 
fairly  out  of  his  mouth  he  was  fast  asleep.  Not  so  the  rest 
of  the  parry.  The  voice  of  the  renegade  had  awakened 
the  Indians;  and  raising  themselves  up  to  a  sitting  pos 
ture,  they  stared  stupidly  around;  and  then,  while  two 
laid  down  again,  the  third  got  up  and  put  more  fuel  on 
the  tire,  stretched,  yawned,  and  at  last  imitated  his 
more  drowsy  companions  by  again  taking  a  horizontal 
position  before  the  fire. 

Some  ten  minutes  of  silence  elapsed,  during  which 
the  Indians  appeared  to  have  fully  relapsed  into  the  arms 
of  Morpheus,  when  again  sounded  the  melodious  notes  of 
the  whip  poor-will.  This  time  little  Rose  raised  her  liead 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  73 

slowly  and  carefully,  and  looked  cautiously  toward  the 
trunk  of  the  giant  beech.  The  song  ceased;  and  i\  soft 
whisper,  which  might  almost  have  been  mistaken  for  the 
night.-bree"e  playing  among  the  leaves,  bore  to  her  ear 
the  enchanting  words: 

"Thy  Albert  is  near,  with  other  aid.  Pretend  to 
sleep,  and  hope  on  till  morning,  when  thou  shalt  be  at 
liberty  once  more  with  him  that  loves  thee!" 

The  voice  ceased;  and  bowing  her  head,  in  token 
that  she  understood  the  words,  Rose  again  laid  down,  and 
the  same  deep  stillness  again  reigned  throughout  the  sol 
itude.  Albert  carefully  withdrew,  and  the  whip-poor- 
will  was  heard  no  more  that  night.  In  five  minutes  the 
young  hunter  had  joined  his  companion. 

"You've  done  well,"  whispered  Wetzel,  "and  1 11  give 
ye  credit  for': — though  I'll  hev  to  own  I  was  once't  or 
twice't  most  powerful  skeery  like  on  your  account  and 
the  gal's  W'i've  got  nothin'  to  do  now  but  wait,  and 
watch,  and  be  ready  to  give  these  here  rapscallions  their 
breakfast  on  lead." 

Albert,  after  his  communication  to  Rose,  felt  more 
reconciled  to  his  condition — though  the  night,  as  might 
be  expected,  proved  long  and  tedious— and  he  lay  and 
watched  the  camp  of  the  enemy  and  the  stars  overhead, 
with  what  feelings  we  must  leave  to  the  reader's  imagi 
nation.  He  felt  faint  and  weary;  for  neither  he  nor  his 
companion  had  eaten  anything  since  the  morning  before, 
with  the  exceptions  of  the  little  the  other  had  found  and 
devoured,  as  the  reader  will  remember,  in  the  last  night's 
encampment  of  their  hideous  foes.  Besides,  Albert  had 
not  slept  since  setting  out  on  the  trail  of  the  stranger, 
and  iie  had  passed  over  more  than  fifty  miles  of  wilder 
ness,  and  gone  through  a  scene  of  horror  that,  of  itself, 
was  enough  to  have  laid  him  on  a  bed  of  sickness,  had 
his  physical  powers  not  been  supported  by  extraordinary 
mental  excitement.  And  that  same  excitement  served 
r-im  still — though  he  felt  that  his  body  was  fast  giving 
way  to  excessive  fatigue.  More  than  once,  toward  morn- 


74  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

ing,  he  found  his  eyes  involuntarily  closing,  and  nature 
iast  yielding  to  a  xiull,  heavy  drowsiness,  which  required 
unusual  effort  to  throw  off.  Still  he  managed  not  to 
?leep,  though  his  companion  did,  and  for  several  hours. 
Once  he  fancied  that  he  had  forgot  himself,  though  only 
for  a  moment,  and  this  so  alarmed  him  that  he  closed  his 
eyes  no  more  that  night. 

The  fire  of  the  camp  gradually  hurned  down,  so  that 
distant  objects  faded  to  indistinctness;  and  the  huge  fig 
ures  of  th«  sleepers  became  wrapped  in  a  somber  light, 
;hat  only  half  revealed  them,  and  left  fancy  free  to  con 
jure  them  into  so  many  demons  of  the  other  world.  Once 
one  of  the  party,  probably  feeling  chilled  by  the  night 
air,  which  »vas  V3ry  cool,  arose  and  stirred  the  fading 
embers;  but  not  succeeding  in  rekindling  the  fire,  he  sat 
down  beside  it,  with  his  hands  crossed  over  his  knees. 
This  at  first  gave  Albert  considerable  uneasiness —  as  in 
case  the  savage  waited  thus  till  morning  he  might  pos- 
siblj  discover  his  position  before  the  proper  time  tc  fire 
upon  the  party  should  arrive.  But  his  apprehensions 
proved  groundless;  for,  after  sitting  thus  a  few  minutes, 
the  Indian  began  to  nod,  and  soon  after  rolled  over  upon 
the  earth  in  a  heavier  slumber  than  he  had  probably  ex 
perienced  through  the  night. 

At  last  the  stars  began  to  pale,  a  slight  rosy  flush  to 
ascend  the  Eastern  heavens  far  toward  the  zenith,  and  a 
dull,  leaden  hue  to  take  the  place  of  the  impenetrable 
blackness  of  the  forest.  Albert  now  gently  awoke  his 
companion,  and  both  silently  reprimed  their  rifles  and 
looked  carefully  to  the  flint,  that  there  might  be  no  mis 
take  at  the  perilous  moment,  which  was  fast  approaching. 
They  then  placed  their  rifles  in  rest,  and  drew  back  as 
far  a0*  vas  possible,  without  losing  sight  of  their  foe.  Once 
settled,  there  was  no  danger  of  their  being  seen;  for  they 
laid  flat  upon  the  rising  hillock,  face  downward,  with 
their  heads  sufficiently  raised  to  see  over  its  brow  be 
tween  the  thick  leaves  and  brushwood  which  surrounded 
them  aixl  formed  their  ambuscade. 


THE   FOREST   ROSE  75 

Ft.  was  now  agreed  between  them  that  the  renegade 
and  t^ie  Indian  with  the  scalps  at  his  girdle  should  be  the 
first  victims,  as  it  was  evident  that  these  were  the  most 
powerful  and  the  leaders  of  the  party,  if,  indeed,  it  could 
be  said  to  have  any  leader,  or  leaders,  where  all  were  so 
much  on  an  equality.  This  was  resolved  on  as  a  matter 
of  policy,  as  well  as  to  make  sure  that,  if  any  escaped,  the 
scalps  should  not  go  with  them  as  trophies  of  success; 
and  also  to  be  certain  that  revenge  should  fall  upon  the 
proper  ones,  in  the  event  that  all  were  not  killed.  Al 
bert  settled  upon  the  renegade  for  his  target  and  Wetzel 
the  Indian — each  being  well  satisfied  with  the  arrange 
ment — the  former,  because  the  renegade  had  insulted 
Rose,  and  the  latter,  because  his  mark  was  an  Indiar,  to 
ward  whom,  as  we  ha,ve  shown,  he  had  a  mortal  hatred. 

Once  it  had  begun  to  grow  light  the  day  came  on 
fast;  and  every  moment  objects  grew  more  and  more  dis 
tinct;  till  at  last  avenues  of  no  inconsiderable  length 
could  be  traced  in  the  deep  forest,  with  their  columns  of 
trees  supporting  the  green  foliage-dome  of  nature. 

Rose,  who  since  the  communication  made  to  her  by 
Albert  had  scarcely  stirred,  now  slightly  raised  her  face 
and  peered  timidly  around,  and  then  dropped  ner  head 
and  shuddered.  Poor  girl!  it  was  now  a  matter  of  doubt 
with  bor  whether  she  had  beard  the  voice  of  him  she  lov 
ed  in  reality,  or  only  in  a  delusive  dream,  and  she  feared 
the  worst.  One  of  the  savages  now  partially  aroused  him 
self,  and  perceiving  it  was  light  sprang  up  suddenly,  and 
with  a  gutteral  ejaculation  awakened  his  companions, 
who  immediately  started  to  their  feet  also,  and  from  some 
exclamations  they  made  it  \vas  evident  they  had  overslept 
the  appointed  hour  for  rising. 

The  important  moment  was  now  at  hand;  and  Al 
bert  felt  a  strange  sensation  as  he  glanced  along  the  bar 
rel  of  his  deadly  rifle.  He  was  about  to  pull  the  trigger 
m  a  human  being — was  about  to  shed  the  blood  of  a  fel 
low-creature  for  the  first  time,  and  send  him  loaded  with 
crime  into  the  presence  of  his  Maker.  True,  it  was  only 


76  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

doing  ar\  act  of  justice,  and  that  in  self-defense;  but  still 
he  was  coolly  calculating  on  it,  and  the  idea  seemed  hor 
rible 

"If  it  were  only  In  mortal  combat,  he  reasoned  with 
himself,  "and  my  passions  were  fully  roused,  and  my 
blood  hot,  it  would  not  seem  so  much  like  murder,  and 
ivotild  not  touch  my  conscience.  Still,  the  villian  deserv 
es  to  die,  and  the  blood  of  my  kindred  calls  on  me  to 
avenge  them." 

With  this  reflection,  his  lips  compressed,  and  a  stern 
sense  of  duty  came  over  him;  he  thought  of  Rose,  and  her 
wrongs,  and  all  pity  left  his  heart,  and  conscience  no 
longer  cbided  him.  As  if  to  make  matters  still  more 
aggravating,  the  renegade  now  approached  Rose  and  said 
gruffly: 

"Come,  wench,  stir  yourself!  for  you've  got  a  long 
day's  tramp  before  ye;  and.  by  — !  I'll  have  no  lagging  by 
the  way!" 

Poor  Rose  looked  up,  and  her  pale  face  had  in  it  such 
a  mournful  appeal  to  mercy,  that  it  must  have  touched 
the  heart  of  any  who  could  feel  the  sense  of  pity.  But 
the  renegade  appeared  totally  unmoved;  and  as  he  cut 
the  cord  that  bound  her  wrists  and  ankles  he  drew  back 
his  foot  as  if  to  bestow  upon  her  a  kick. 

But  if  such  was  his  intention,  the  foot,  never  accom 
plished  his  design;  for  at  the  moment  the  tall  Indian 
stepped  forward,  so  as  to  face  our  friends,  and  the  click 
of  two  rifles  sounded  in  the  ambuscade.  The  moment  of 
fearful  retribution  and  vengeance  was  at  hand,  and  the 
measure  of  their  iniquity  was  full  to  the  brim. 

Only  one  sharp  report  was  heard,  as  the  rifles  simul 
taneously  belched  forth  fire  and  smoke,  and  their  lea.len 
messengers  were  already  sped  on  their  mission  of  death. 
Two  mortal  groans  succeeded,  and  two  heavy  bodies  fell 
to  the  oarth  writhing  in  pain. 

At  the  same  instant  the  unharmed  savages  uttered 
yells  of  surprise  and  terror,  and  grasping  their  rifles 
bounded  away  to  cover;  while  Wetzel  leaped  from  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  77 

thicket,  and  shouting  to  his  companion  to  make  sure  of 
his  "game"  rushed  forward  and  huried  his  tomahawk  in 
the  brain  of  the  prostrate  savage,  whose  limbs  gave  one 
short  quiver,  and  then  straightened  in  the  last  throe  of 
death. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  Meeting  of  The  Lovers. 

"It's  the  private  and  partikelar  opine  of  a  white 
ginticmap.  that  you'll  never  trouble  nobody  agin  "  said 
Wetzel,  as  he  bent  over  the  bloody  corpse  of  his  victim; 
and  swinging  his  huge  knife  around  the  top  of  his  head, 
he  tore  off  the  reeking  scalp,  which,  after  shaking  in  the 
face  of  the  dead,  with  a  demoniac  grin,  he  attached  to 
his  girdle.  "Quick!"  he  added,  turning  to  Albert,  "make 
a  sure  thing  of  that  white  nigger,  take  the  gal,  and  break 
for  kiver  aforo  ye  git  a  bullet  lodged  in  your  body;"  and 
uttering  a  loud  whoop  of  defiance  he  sprang  behind  the 
beech  opposite  to  the  direction  taken  by  the  alarmed  sav 
ages,  and  commenced  loading  his  rifle  with  great  rapid 
ity. 

All  this  was  the  work  of  a  moment,  as  it  were,  and 
occupied  less  time  than  we  have  in  describing  it.  But 
Albert  thought  not  of  his  prostrate  victim,  nor  of  the 
concealed  enemy.  Lover-like,  he  thought  only  of  Rose; 
and  rushing  to  nor  both  uttered  cries  of  joy;  and  the 
next  moment,  weak  from  loss  of  food  and  rest,  and  over 
joyed  at  her  happy  deliverance,  she  staggered  forward, 
ihrew  her  delicate  arms  around  his  neck,  and  fainted  in 
his  embrace.  For  some  moments  Albert  himself  stood 
gazing  upon  her,  overpowered  with  emotions  too  deep  for 
utterance,  and  seemingly  totally  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  But 
the  voice  of  Wetzel  soon  aroused  him  to  a  sense  of  danger. 

"D'ye  want  to  be  killed  in  'arnest?"  cried  the  old 
hunter  again,  "that  you  stand  thar  like  a  fixed  target  for 
Injen  bullets?  Why  don't  ye  take  the  gal  up  and  tree, 
and  show  you've  got  some  sense  in  ye  yit?" 

Thus  warned  the  second  time,  Albert  no  longer  de- 


78  THE  FOREST   ROSE 

layed  to  place  himself  and  her  he  loved  in  safety.  Cast 
ing  a  hurried  glance  around,  and  perceiving  the  dead 
and  ecalpless  Indian,  and  the  apparently  lifeless  rene 
gade,  weltering  in  his  blood  near  his  feet,  he  seemed  for 
the  first  time  since  the  onset  to  comprehend  what  had 
taken  place;  and  throwing  an  arm  about  the  waist  of 
Rose  he  raised  her  light  form  and  darted  behind  the 
beech,  where  the  old  hunter — with  a  dexterity  in  load 
ing  equaled  only  by  a  few  of  the  border  men,  excelled  by 
none — was  already  priming  his  long  weapon  of  death. 

"Now  you  stay  right  here,  and  keep  this  tree  atwixt 
ye  and  the  cussed  red-skins,  and  I'll  show  ye  a  heap  o' 
lun,''  said  thf:  intrepid  woodsman;  and  as  he  spoke  he 
sprang  from  behind  his  cover,  and  running  toward  a 
thicket  near  the  creek,  in  which  he  supposed  the  enemy 
was  concealed,  he  gave  two  or  three  loud  whoops,  and 
discharged  hib  rifle  at  random;  then  whooping  louder 
Than  ever,  he  turned  and  fled,  taking  a  direction  oppos 
ite  to  that  where  our  friends  were  concealed.  This  ruse 
had  the  desired  effect.  The  Indians,  who  had  seen  his 
whole  movements,  an'i  now  believing  him  an  easy  prey — 
since  his  rit'lo,  to  their  certain  knowledge,  was  not  loaded 
-  —at  once  sprung  from  their  covert,  with  yells  of  venge 
ance,  and  gave  chase. 

Now  it  was  that  XVetzel  displayed  in  full  perfection 
that  wonderful  skill  that  had  already  made  him  so  fam 
ous  on  the  borders,  both  among  the  whites  and  Indians. 
Darting  away,  with  an  agility  that  put  the  Indians  to  all 
their  fleetness  to  keep  him  in  sight,  but  without  giving 
the  latter  time  to  tire,  he  poured  the  powder  into  his 
rifle,  rammed  down  the  ball,  primmed  it,  and  then  dodg 
ed  behind  a  tree,  where  he  waited  till  his  foremost  pur 
suer  was  in  full  view,  when  he  threw  his  head  round,  his 
weapon  with  the  quickness  of  thought,  and  fired.  The 
savage  gsve  a  loud  yell  of  rage  and  pain,  bounded  from 
ihe  earth,  and  fell  down  a  corpse,  pierced  through  the 
heart.  The  other,  who  was  only  a  few  steps  behind,  ut 
tered  a  cry  of  dismay,  and  paused  to  gaze  at  his  bloody 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  79 

companion.  But  the  taunting  laugh  of  the  old  hunter,  who 
was  already  again  darting  away,  aroused  his  fierce  pas 
sions;  and  with  a  demoniacal  yell  of  vengence,  he  once 
more  gave  chase,  this  time  feeling  sure  of  his  intended 
victim.  The  distance  was  now  so  much  lessened  between 
them  that  Wetzel  knew,  if  he  ran  in  a  straight  line,  the 
savage  would  have  a  fair  opportunity  to  hit  him  in  the 
back.  Accordingly  he  took  a  zigzag  course,  whooping, 
hallooing,  jumping  and  dodging  from  tree  to  tree.  In  this 
Avay  ie  completely  foiled  the  attempts  of  his  pursuer  to 
get  aim,  and  in  a  i'ew  minutes  his  rifle  was  again  loaded. 
Once  more,  springing  behind  a  tree,  he  waited  for  the 
savage  to  come  up.  The  latter,  thinking  he  now  had  him 
at  advantage,  sprang  forward  with  a  yell  of  triumph,  his 
own  weapon  leveled,  ready  to  discharge  the  instant  he 
should  get  a  glimpse  at  the  other's  person.  The  same 
moment  I  he  s-harp  crack  of  a  rifle  awoke  the  sleeping 
echoes  of  the  deep  forest,  and  the  yell  of  triumph  was 
changed  to  a  yell  of  pain  as  the  Indian  recoiled  and  rolled 
over  upon  the  earth,  discharging  his  own  piece  in  the  air. 
The  renowned  backwoodsman  now  deliberately  stepped 
from  behind  his  tree;  and,  after  taking  a  quiet  but  hearty 
laugh,  he  said  iu  his  own  peculiar  way: 

"J  kiiow'd  tharll  be  a  powerful  heap  o'  fun,  and  I 
told  Albert  so.  Poor  fellow,"  he  said,  giving  the  dead 
Indian  a  kick,  and  again  indulging  in  a  low,  quiet  laugh, 
"you  mought  hev  bin  a  powerful  smart  chap  amongst 
your  own  painted  brethren,  but  you  ain't  o'  no  account 
10  corne  agin  a  white  gintleman  as  knows  how  to  handle 
powder.  You  mought  do  to  fight  women  and  squaws,  but 
you  never  oughter  tried  nothin'  more  dangerous.  You 
never  was  a  beauty,  in  my  opine,  and  I  don't  reckon  that 
that  little  red  hole  in  your  greasy  face  helps  your  looks  a 
good  deal.  1  don't.  You  wanted  my  scalp,  did  ye?  Sorry 
couldn't  'commodate  ye,  but  the  fact  is,  I  want  it  myself 
•awhile.  I'll  take  yourn,  howso'mever,  bein's  you  don't 
need  it  more,  and  I've  had  a  heap  o'trouble  in  comin'ar- 
ter  it;"  and  bending  down  as  he  spoke,  the  old  hunter 


80  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

severed  .t  from  the  head,  and  dashing  off  the  blood,  hung 
it  to  his  belt  along  side  of  the  other. 

Then  he  added,  as  a  parting  salute: 

"Well,  good-bye,  red-skin;  for  'taint  likely  wel'll  ever 
meet  again,  ayther  in  this  here  world  or  t'other.  I've 
heard  folks  talk  about  a  Injen  heaven;  but  ef  thar's  sich 
a  place  as  a  Injen  hell,  I'd  pertikerly  advise  sich  o'  your 
friends,  ef  ye'/e  got  any,  as  want  to  find  ye  powerful  sud 
den,  +o  look  thar  first.  Good-bye,  I  say,  and  good  luck 
to  the  animal  as  t'ars  the  greasy  meat  off  o'  your  bones  1 
— hope  he  won't  git  pizened,  is  the  worst  wish  I've  got 
agin  him." 

Saying  this,  the  old  woodman  sauntered  leisurely 
away,  and  bent  his  steps  toward  the  camp,  stopping  on 
the  road  to  scalp  his  other  victim  and  give  him  a  little 
parting  advice. 

But  to  return  to  Albert  and  Rose. 

Albert  sow  his  companion  set  off,  and  the  yelping 
savages  after  him,  not  without  many  misgivings  as  to 
what  might  be  the  result.  He  would  like  to  have  gone 
to  his  aid— -but  he  could  not  leave  her  whose  life  was 
dearer  to  him  than  his  own.  All  this  time  poor  little 
Rose  was  unconscious;  but  as  he  still  supported  her  in 
his  arms,  chafed  her  hands  and  temples,  and  called  her 
by  many  an  endearing  epithet,  she  soon  began  tu  revive. 
At  first  she  looked  around  a  little  bewildered;  but  it  was 
not  long  before  she  comprehended  all.  She  had  been  lib 
erated  from  the  savages,  and  by  him  she  loved.  He  was 
now  with  her.  and  his  soft,  blue  eyes  were  looking  mourn 
fully  and  tenderly  into  hers,  and  the — to  her — enchant 
ing  words.  "My  own  dear  Forest  Rose!"  were  sweetly 
trembling  ou  his  half-parted  lips. 

"Albert,  my  own  dear,  dear  Albert!"  she  murmured; 
and  burying  her  face  upon  his  manly  breast,  she  wept, 
but  they  were  tears  of  joy. 

"Ah!  my  poor  little  Rose,  I  have  thee  once  again!" 
he  returned,  straining  her  to  his  heart,  while  the  manly 
tears  of  grief  and  joy,  for  the  dead  and  the  living,  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  81 

past  and  the  present,  united  and  made  his  vision  dim. 
''Alas!  poor  Rose!"  he  continued,  in  a  choking  voice  of 
deep  emr.tion  '"God  only  knows  what  we  have  suffered, 
und  He  alone  is  able  to  sustain  us  through  our  terrible 
trials.  Oh!  my  father,  my  mother,  my  brother,  my  sis 
ter — all — all  are  gone!" 

"Oh!  do  not,  do  not  recall  the  horrid  scene!"  cried 
Rose  hysterically,  shuddering,  and  clinging  closer  to  the 
other.  "When  I  think  of  it  my  brain  seems  on  fire;  and 
sometimes  I  have  thought  I  were  going  mad.  Perhaps  I 
shall  get  calmer  soon,  and  then  I  will  tell  you  all;  bur  di> 
not  speak  of  it  now." 

"I  will  not.  Rose — I  will  not — for  it  is  too  much  for 
either  of  us  in  our  present  excited  state  and  weak  condi 
tion.  We  both  need  food  and  rest;  and  you,  above  all 
things,  my  little  Rose;  for  1  saw  last  night  that  you  re 
fused  to  oat,  till  forced  by  that  accursed  renegade." 

"And  were  you  present  then?"  inquired  the  other. 

'I  was;  yon  little  hillock  only  divided  me  from  the 
enemy." 

And  it  was  really  you  then,  that  imitated  the  whip- 
poor-will,  as  you -were  wont  in  our  happier  days?" 

"It  was  I,  Rose.  I  could  not  bear  the  thought  that 
you  should  pass  another  nisht  in  hopeless  misery,  and  1 
could  not  relieve  you  with  any  safety.  I  should  have  at 
tempted  it,  however,  but  for  my  brave  companion,  Lewis 
Wetzel." 

"Ho,  then,  is  with  you?  I  thought  T  saw  another, 
but  of  late  I  feur  to  trust  my  senses.  Where  is  he  now?" 

''Gone  in  pursuit  of  the  savages — or  rather,  to  with 
draw  them  from  us,  he  has  set  off  into  the  forest,  and  bid 
them  defiance,  and  they  have  gone  in  pursuit  of  him. 
Pray  God  that  he  be  not  killed  or  captured — for  then  it 
would  be  almost  impossible  for  us  to  escape." 

"Hark."  cried  Rose;  "there  is  a  gun.  Oh,  God!  if  he 
should  be  killed!" 

"No.  thank  heaven!"  rejoined  Albert,  breathing  more 
freely;  "I  hear  his  shout  and  laugh,  and  the  Indian  yell 


82  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

of  rage  and  dismay.  It  was  his  rifle  we  heard,  and  there 
is  one  foe  less  to  contend  with." 

We  will  hope  so,"  said  Rose,  shuddering. 

"I  will  load  my  rifle,  at  all  events,  and  be  prepared 
for  the  worst,  '  returned  Albert;  and  he  immediately  set- 
itbout  this  necessary  precaution. 

"When  T  first  heard  the  whip-poor-will  last  night," 
pursued  Fiose,  "it  brought  you  so  forcibly  to  my  mind 
that  I  felt  as  if  my  leart  would  break,  for  I  truly  thought 
we  should  never  see  each  other  again.  Little  did  I  then 
dream  it  was  you  in  reality.  But  when  it  stopped,  and 
recommenced  with  that  soft,  plaintive  trill,  which  I  had 
•so  often  hearc  vou  make  by  way  of  variation,  the  delus 
ion  was  so  perfect,  that,  without  a  second  thought,  I 
raised  my  head  and  looked  around,  half-expecting  to  be- 
nold  you  standing  near.  Nor  was  I  wholly  disappointed, 
for  methought  two  soft  eyes  were  beaming  upon  me;  and 
ttoon  those  sweet  words  of  hope.,  that  I  shall  never  forget, 
stole  softly  upon  my  ear,  like  angels'  whispers.  I  heard 
no  more;  but  what  T  did  henr  gave  me  strength  to  pass 
the  night  in  comparative  happiness;  though  somehow, 
afterward,  I  recalled  it  as  a  dream,  but  still  it  seemed  an 
omen  of  good.  Ah!  f  would  our  gallant  and  generous 
"hunter  we're  hack  safe  from  our  fearful  enemies!  But 
"how  3id  you  fall  in  with  him,  Albert?" 

The  other  proceeded  to  detail  the  manner  in  which 
they  had  met.  while  he  had  paused  upon  the  trail  oi  the 
renegade. 

"Ah1"  sighed  Rose  at  the  mention  of  the  latter,  "your 
fearful  presentiment  and  suspicion  of  that  terrible  man 
were  horribly  vert'ied,  for  he  is  the  same  that  called  the 
<lay  before  and  procured  a  drink  of  water.  But  what  has 
become  of  him?" 

"He  has  met  his  reward.  His  body  is  near,  but  his 
•soul  is  where  man  knoweth  not." 

'•Re  is  dead  then?"  rejoined  Rose.  "Aye,  now  1  re 
member,  methinks;  lie  fell  near  me,  did  he  not?  I  have  a 
•confused  recollection  of  Hearing  the  report  of  a  rifle — of 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  85 

hearing  shouts  and  yells,  and  seeing  you  standing  ueir-  - 
or  rushing  toward  me,  I  cannot  tell  which — for  immed 
iately  after  everything  turned  dark,  and  I  thought  I  was- 
falling  to  the  ground.  But  what  is  that?"  exclaimed  Rose, 
in  terror,  as  at  the  moment  a  heavy  groan  sounded  in  her 
terror,  as  at  the  moment  a  heavy  groan  sounded  in  her 
ear. 

Albert  sprang  from  behind  the  tree,  with  his  now 
loaded  rifle  in  his  hand,  and  at  once  his  eye  fell  upon  a. 
horrid  spectacle.  The  renegade,  partly  raised  upon  his 
hands,  his  face  all  covered  with  blood,  which  was  stream 
ing  down  from  a  wound  in  his  head,  was  staring  savage 
ly  amund,  with  his  fierce,  swollen,  and  blood-shot  tyes, 
that  gleanu-r:  like  balls  of  fire.  Though  mortally  wound 
ed,  ho  was  not  yet  dead,  as  Albert  had  supposed.  The 
ball  had  struck  the  cap  of  the  skull,  where  it  shuts  down 
upon  the  head,  and  both  slivered  and  raised  it,  and  had 
then  glanced  off  without  penetrating  the  brain.  He  had 
fallen  to  the  earth,  stunned,  but  had  now  so  far  recover 
ed  as  to  be  able  to  raise  himself  to  the  position  just,  de 
scribed.  Besides  the  blood  on  Ms  face,  his  coarse,  shaggy 
hair  was  clotted  with  gore,  and  his  hands  and  garments- 
were  deeply  dyed.  On  the  ground  the  blood  had  pooled; 
and  in  moving  his  nead  one  &ide  of  his  face  had  rubbed 
in  it.  and  to  it  ;iad  adhered  such  loose  dirt  as  chanced  to- 
be  rnderneath.  At  first  his  stare  was  wild  and  savage; 
and  it  was  directed  rather  toward  his  dead  companion, 
than  his  living  foe;  though  the  position  was  such  that  Al 
bert  «'ould  soe  the  hideous  features  distinctly. 

As  Albert  stood  gazing  upon  the  dying  man,  Rose 
silently  joined  him;  and  the  moment  her  eye  rested  on 
the  ghastly  object  before  her,  she  involuntarily  uttered 
an  exclamation  of  horror,  instantly  the  renegade  turn 
ed  his  savage  eyes  upon  the  lovers,  and  a  demoniac  ex 
pression  made  mote  frightful  his  villainous  countenance, 
and  in  ev.ua  mat  ion  of  baffled  rage  and  hate  passed  his 
bloody  lips.  Then  perceiving  that  the  looks  directed  to 
ward  him  were  rather  those  of  pity  than  malice,  he  ar- 


84  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

Uculated,  "Water,  water,''  in  a  rattling,  husky  tone. 

"Waier  y.>u  shall  have,"  replied  Albert,  perceiving 
that  the  gourd  used  by  the  Indians  was  lying  on  the 
ground  at  a  short  distance.  "It  shall  not  be  said  that  I 
refused  a  dying  man  his  last  request,  though  that  man 
•was  the  ruthless  murderer  of  all  my  kindred." 

The  words,  and  the  deep  tone  of  grief  in  which  they 
•were  uttered,  seemed  to  touch  the  better  feelings  of  even 
this  hardened  wretch;  for' instantly  the  expression  of  the 
rount'3nance  -softened ,  and  Albert  fancied  he  could  de 
tect  a  look  of  regret  and  remorse,  as  the  other  turned 
aside  his  head  and  fell  back  upon  the  earth. 

Bidding  Rost?  remain  where  she  was,  Albert,  after 
looking  carefully  to  his  rifle,  went  forward,  picked  up  the 
gourd,  and,  going  to  the  creek,  filled  it  with  water.  He 
then  returned  and  offered  it  to  the  renegade.  The  latter 
partly  raised  nimself  on  one  hana,  took  it  with  the  oth 
er,  and  drained  it  without  stopping  to  catch  breath,  so 
powerful  was  his  thirst.  Then  looking  steadily  into  the 
face  of  the  young  man,  with  a  gaze  that  the  latter  could 
percer^e  was  fast  growing  glassy  and  dim  in  death,  he 
faintly  gashed  "Thank  you;  for — forgive  me!"  and  roll 
ing  over  upon  the  earth,  with  a  groan,  expired. 

"H's  all  over  now,"  said  Albert,  solemnly,  "and  his 
spirit  has  gone  to  oe  judged  for  the  deeds  done  in  the 
body:"  and  he  moved  away  to  rejoin  his  little  Rose. 

While  conversing  with  her  on  the  death  of  the  rene 
gade,  a  shout  was  heard,  and  looking  up,  both  perceived 
Lewis  Wetzel  within  a  few  paces,  approaching  at  a  leis 
ure  ga.it.  Rose  at  once  sprang  forward  with  an  artless 
freedom  and  the  familiarity  of  an  old  friend,  and  taking 
his  hand  in  both  of  hers  thanked  him  warmly,  with  tear 
ful  eyes,  for  his  kindness  in  so  gallantly  and  generously 
comir?  to  her  rescue. 

"Well."  said  the  other,  not  a  little  affected  by  her 
manner,  though  he  strove  to  conceal  it  under  an  air  of 
indifference,  "I  hain't  did  no  more'n  my  duty.  I'm  oow- 
<rful  glad,  thungh.  tc  see  you  alive  and  safe;  for  I's 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  85 

.•afear'd,  one  time,  that  you'd  got  cl'ar  on  us  for  sartin. 
Howdomever,  it's  all  right  now,  and  the  cussed  red-skins 
hev  paid  for  their  bloody  doin's,  though  it  can't  fotch 
back  them  as  is  lost." 

"Alas!"  rejoined  the  other,  with  a  fresh  burst,  of 
grief,  "my  father,  mother,  brother,  and  sister — for  they 
\vere  all  those  to  me,  though  ties  kindred  were  not  be 
tween  us — have  all  gone  to  their  long  home.  It  is  a 
lerrible  trial,  and  may  God  give  me  strength  to  support 
•.ne  through  it." 

"And  are  our  enemies  all  dead?"  asked  Albert,  join 
ing  the  party. 

"Ef  you  mean  them  as  captur'd  Rose,"  replied  the 
mtrepid  woodsman,  "thar  scalps  is  here,"  and  he  pointed 
significantly  to  his  belt.  "That  is,  I  mean  to  say,  all  but 
one.  and  him  I  see  (nodding  toward  the  renegade)  has 
got  his'ii  on  his  head.  How';}  this,  Albert?" 

'  It  is  the  first  human  being  that  has  ever  fallen  by 
any  hand — scalp  him,  I  cannot,"  was  the  reply. 

O.  •well,  it  won't  be  long,  ef  ye  hev  much  to  do  o'  the 
wood",  afore  ye  git  over  them  thar  chicken-hearted  no 
tions,  T  can  assure  ye.  Ef  you  don't  want  to  s^-alp  hira, 
why  T  do;  and  though  he's  got  white  blood  in  him,  he's 
•a  savage  by  natur'.  and  oughter  hev  a  place  among 
nis  heathen  friends;"  and  as  he  said  this  he  strode  for 
ward  to  the  object  of  these  remarks,  and  in  another 
moment  the  fourth  bloody  scalp  was  making  its  circuit 
through  the  air,  preparatory  to  finding  its  place  among 
those  that  had  preceded  it 

Albert  and  Rose  both  turned  aside  with  a  sickening 
shudder.  They  had  not  as  yet  become  sufficiently  used 
to  the  barbariou?  customs  of  border  life  to  witness  all  its 
horrid  deedrf  with  the  eyes  of  a  stoic. 

"Nov  ,"  said  "Wetzel,  with  the  satisfied  air  of  a  man 
who  has  performed  a  very  commendable  act,  "ef  we  can 
pick  up  anything  here  worth  eating  we'll  hev  some  break 
fast:  for  somehow  I  feel  jest  as  gaunt  as  a  starved  pig." 
ITe  then  turned  over  the  body  of  the  Indian,  and  running 


86  THE   FOREST   ROSE 

his  hand  into  a  sort  of  wallet  that  was  fastened  to  Ms 
side,  exclaimed,  with  an  expression  of  delight,  as  lie 
withdrew  a  dark  bun^h  of  something,  "Here  it  is — here 
it  is — jerk  enough  for  all  on  us.  Come  on,  and  let  us- 
hev  a  feast." 

"I  thank  you,"  replied  Albert,  with  a  feeling-  of 
loathing;  "I  have  no  desire  to  eat — above  all  things,  such, 
food  as  that." 

"Nor  r,''  said  Rose. 

"What!  you  won't  eat?"  s*aid  the  old  hunter,  in  as 
tonishment;  "then  how  in  natur'  do  you  expect  to  Mve? 
You  don't  set  yourselves  up  for  them  dar  beasts  as  is 
called  camellions,  and,  as  I've  heerd  folks  tell,  lives  <m 
air,  do  ye?" 

"No."  answered  Albert,  glancing  at  Rose,  and  for 
the  first  time  since  the  death  of  his  friends,  allowed  '  a 
faint  smile  to  lighten  the  deep  gloom  of  his  countenance. 
"No,  friend  Wotzel.  we  make  no  pretensions  to  live  on  air 
— though  food  taken  from  the  murdei-ers  of  our  friends 
is  repugnant  to  our  tastes.  At  least,  such  is  the  case 
with  mvself,  and  J  presume  it  is  even  so  with  Rose." 

"It  is,"  replied  the  latter. 

"Well,"  pursued  the  old  hunter,  "it  don't  make 
no  difference  to  me  whar  it  comes  from,  ef  it's  only  fit  for 
a  white  girtleman  to  eat,  and  thar's  enough  on't  to  stop 
up  a  big  exkevation,  as  the  settlement  chaps  say.  Jest 
you  sit  down  somewhere  and  wait  till  I've  put  this  here- 
meat  out  o'  sight,  and  I'll  go  out  and  fotch  in  a  deer; 
and  maybe  that'll  suit  ye  better — bein's  ho-v  I've  got  yome 
salt  along  to  season  it." 

"I  thank  you!"  replied  Albert,  "that  would  certainly 
be  doing  us  a  great  kindness,  and  we  will  gladly  await 
your  return."' 

"Better  crawl  into  the  bushes  then,  up  thar  on  the 
knoll,"  rejoined  the  other,  "for  thar's  no  knowin'  what 
skulkin'  varmints  might  be  about,  when  you  ain't  sus- 
pectin'  'em." 


THE   FOREST   ROSE  87 

"I  will  take  your  advice,"  said  Albert.  But  do  you 
really  apprehend  any  danger  from  a  lurking  foe?" 

"O,  thar's  no  tellin'  in  these  here  woods,  when  the 
red-skins  git  thar  hatchets  once  dug  up,  whar  to  find 
*emt  or  what'll  bo  the  consequences.  Since  they  licked 
.St.  Cl'ar  so  powerful  they  got  to  be  a  heap  more  trou 
blesome  nor  they  was  afore,  and  we  must  look  out  for 
.the  worst.  Howsomever,  it's  my  opine  we've  peppered 
al!  the  scamps  that  is  'bout  here;  but  still  it  don't  make 
nothin'  no  dangerouser  to  be  sort  o'  cautious-like." 

Saying  this,  Wetzel  picked  up  the  gourd,  and  mov 
ing  away  to  the  creek,  sat  himself  down  upon  the  grassy 
bank  and  prepared  to  make  his  morning's  repast;  while 
Albert  p.nr\  Rose,  agreeable  to  his  directions,  repaired  to 
.the  knoll,  where  the  thick  underbrush  screened  them 
Irom  observation. 

"Here,"  said  the  young  hunter,  in  a  low,  tender  tone, 
"is  ground  \  mu<t  ever  hold  sacred." 

For  what  reason?"  inquired  the  other,  in  some  sur 
prise. 

"Because  it  was  from  here  I  first  beheld,  after  her 
capture,  one  whose  life  is  dearer  to  me  than  my  own;  and 
hecavse  from  here  I  took  that  signal  vengeance  upon  one 
-of  her  foos  -mrl  mine,  which  ever,  the  justice  of  high  heav 
en  would  seem  to  demand.  It  was  from  here  I  saw  you, 
.my  own  Forest  Rose,  a  helpless  prisoner;  it  was  here  I 
turned  the  deadly  weapon  to  set  you  free;  and  it  was  here 
1  rushed,  exultingly,  to  clasp  you  once  more  in  a  fond  em- 
orace  and  restore  you  that  glorious  liberty  which  God 
(designed  for  all  his  creatures  " 

"Then  to  me  it  shall  be  ever  sacred,  also,"  replied 
liose,  in  a  tone  of  deep  sadness  and  affection.  "But,  not- 
•withstarding,  r  would  I  were  far  from  here  now;  for 
someoow  I  like  not  this  forest;  and  a  continual  dread 
hangs  over  mo,  lest  we  may  not  be  able  to  get  back  to  a 
^settlement  without  meeting  with  more  savages." 

"God  forbid  that  SMch  should  be  the  case!   though, 


88  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

like  you,  I  admit  I  am  not  altogether  without  roy  fearsi 
We  must  try.  howe\er,  and  guard  against  it.  Wetzel  is  an. 
old  hunter,  and  will  be  likely  to  detect  any  signs  of  dang 
er,  and  \ve  will  be  guided  solely  by  him.  But  for  him, 
dear  Rose,  I  fear  I  should  never  have  found  you;  certain 
am  I  that,  but  for  his  assistance,  I  should  have  failed  in 
liberating  the  only  being  now  left  me  to  love,  and  per 
haps  have  lost  my  own  life  also." 

"Oh!  that  would  have  been  horrible!"  rejoined  the- 
other,  shuddering  at  the  thought;  "and,  next  to  God,  dear 
Albert,  this  noble  hunter  must  have  our  undivided  grat- 
iludo.  Oh!  had  you  been  killed,"  pursued  little  Rose, 
with  that  charming,  naive  simplicity,  and  depth  of  feel 
ing  which  never  fails  to  touch  the  heart,  and  which  now 
brought  tears  to  the  eyes  of  her  lover,  ''what  would  have- 
become  of  me — of  your  own  little  Forest  Rose,  as  you 
were  wont  to  call  me?  I  should  have  had  none  to  love 
then,  and  none  to  love  me,  for,  alas!  all  the  rest  of  my 
friends  are  gone  the  long  journey  of  death;."  and  she 
buried  her  tace  in  her  hands  to  give  unseen  vent  to  her 
emotions. 

"Poor  Koso!''  replied  Albert,  turning  to  her  with 
tearful  eyes  and  an  anguished  heart;  "poor  Rose!"  and 
throwing  an  arm  around  her  slender  waist  he  drew  her 
fondly  to  him  and  imprinted  a  kiss  of  pure  affection  upon 
her  now  pale  lips.  "My  own  Forest  Rose,"  he  pursued,  in 
a  mournful  tone  of  tenderness,  ''we  must  be  all  in  al'  to- 
oach  other  now;  and  T  pray  to  Him  who  reigns  on  high 
that  He  may  give  me  strength  and  power  to  cherish  and 
protect  tluu'  -.is  thou  deservest!  All  my  kindred  now  lie- 
in  a  bloody  grave;  and  on  thee.  angel  of  my  heart,  shall 
henceforth  be  bestowed  nry  undivided  affection.  If  we- 
can  once  reach  a  settlement  in  safety  we  will  have  the 
solemn  rite  performed  which  will  bind  us  together  for 
ever;  and  then  we  will  leave  these  frontiers — if  not  for 
life,  at  least  until  there  shall  come  a  time  of  peace,  and 
the  ruthless  weapons  of  the  savage  shall  be  buried,  to- 
\var  no  more." 


'THE  FOREST  ROSE  89 

"There  was  a  moment  of  silence  after  Albert  had 
ceased  speaking;  and  then  the  voice  of  Wetzel  broke  the 
stillness: 

"Take  car  o'  yourselves!"  he  said.  "I'm  goin'  now, 
Imt  hope  to  he  baok  soon  with  somethin'  you  can  eat. 
Don't  stray  away  now  whar  I  can't  find  ye.  I'll  try  and 
kill  a  deer,  for  the  meat:ll  be  good,  and  the  skin  on't  '11 
•make  Rose  some  nice  moccasions." 

"Don't  be  gone  long/'  rejoined  Albert,  "whether  you 
find  the  deer  or  not,  for  we  are  anxious  to  leave  this 
place  as  soon  as  possible." 

"Stay  till  I  come,"  was  the  reply;  "for  it's  again 
reason  and  uatur'  to  think  o'travelin'  any  further  with 
out  food.  Again,  I  say,  take  car  o'  yourselves,  and  don't 
leave  your  ambushment!'' 

"!t  «eems  as  though  there  were  something  ponen- 
tious  in  his  c;iution,"  said  Albert,  solemnly;  and.  raising 
his  head  above  the  bushes,  he  beheld  the  tall,  ungainly 
form  of  his  late  companion  disappearing  in  the  deep  for- 
•est,  with  a  gloomy  foreboding  he  tried  in  vain  to  dispel. 
CHAPTER  IX. 

The  Recapture. 

T*or  some  minutes  after  the  departure  of  Wetzel 
•neither  of  the  lovers  spoke,  both  apparently  employed 
with  thoughts  of  a  very  melancholy  nature.  Rose  was 
the  first  to  break  the  silence. 

"Ah,  me!"  she  sighed,  "what  must  have  been  your 
feelings,  dear  Albert,  when  you  came  home  and  beheld 
the  reality  of  your  horrible  presentiment!" 

"God  only  knows  what  I  felt  and  what  agony  I  suf 
fered?"  returned  the  other,  in  a  voice  husky  with  emo 
tions  of  gric-f.  "Before  the  ruins  of  the  cabin  I  beheld 
\he  gory  corpses  of  my  father  and  brother  stretched  upon 
the  earth.  The  hoart-sickening  thought  then  came  over 
me  that  all  were  dc-ad — that  you,  Rose,  you  were  dead — 
and  I  reeled  like  one  intoxicated.  Wetzel  first  gave  me 
liope  that  some  might  be  prisoners;  and  we  ran  down 


90  THE   FOREST   ROSE 

the  hill  to  ascertain;  but  ere  I  reached  the  cabin  my 
courage  failed  me.  T  feared  to  learn  the  truth.  I  sank 
down,  beside  my  father  and  brother,  and  it  was  not  till 
my  companion  assured  me  that  all  were  not  dead  that  I 
could  gain  strength  to  lock  upon  the  funeral  pile  of  the 
departed — upon  the  remains  of  those  so  near  and  dear 
10  ni'j  Tlu-n  I  soon  learned  that  you — you,  my  own 
Forest  Rcce — had  been  taken  prisoner;  and  the  thought 
that  perhaps  you  might  be  rescued  ga\e  me  strength  to 
bear  up  under  the  terrible  blow.  We  dug  a  grave  near 
the  creek;  and  after  consigning  the  bodies  to  their  last 
earthly  resting  place  Wetzel  kindly  buried  them  from  my 
sight.  I  knelt  upon  the  soft  earth  and  silently  prayed 
both  for  the  dead  and  the  living;  and  then  arose  and 
followed  my  companion  down  the  creek  on  the  Indian 
trail.  Eu*  if  my  feelings  were  terrible,  dear  Rose,  what 
must  have  been  yours,  who  were  an  eye  witness  to  the 
horribTe  butchery!" 

"No  one  can  tell  my  feelings,"  answered  the  other; 
and  even  T  have  only  an  indistinct  recollection  of  what 
they  were  myself.  T  believe  I  felt  worse  afterward  than 
at  the  time;  for  it  was  all  done  so  quick,  and  was  so 
horrible,  that  I  became  completely  paralyzed  with  terror, 
and  felt  more  like  a  person  in  a  frightened  dream  i  lian 
as  one  looking  upon  a  reality." 

"And  how  soon  after  I  left  was  the  attack  made?" 
"I  judge  it  te  have  been  an  hour,  though  it  might 
have  been  longer.  Father  had  been  to  the  field,  and  Wil 
liam  also:  but  for  some  cause  both  returned  to  the  house,, 
and  from  there  went  down  to  the  barn.  That  was  the 
last  I  evi'r  saw  of  them  till  I  beheld  their  bloody  corpses 
lying  where  you  found  them.  They  were  probably  on 
their  way  back  to  the  field,  when  they  were  fired  upon 
by  a  concealed  foe,  and  instantly  killed.  Mother  and  sis 
ter  had  put  away  the  breakfast  dishes,  and  were  just  in 
the  act  of  removing  the  table;  I  had  taken  some  coarse 
sewing,  and  seated  myself  near  the  door,  with  my  face 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  91 

•turned  from  it:  when  suddenly  we  heard  the  reports  of 
rifles,  followed  by  groans  and  yells  that  fairly  made  my 
hair  starul  with  terror.  At  the  same  instant  a  couple  of 
dark  figures  rprang  into  the  room,  and  one  of  them,  seiz 
ing  me  oy  The  throat,  raised  his  tomahawk  as  if  to  strike. 
I  shrieked  aud  closed  iny  eyes,  as  T  then  thought,  never  to 
.open  them  again  in  life.  Mother  and  sister  shrieked  also, 
and  then  I  heard  a  stiffling  cry,  succeeded  by  another 
shriek;  then  a  groan  or  two,  and  the  fall  of  some  heavy 
body  upon  the  floor.  Then  arose  a  series  of  hoirible 
yells,  and  I  found  myself  dragged  from  the  building  into 
the  open  air.  All  this,  as  I  cow  recall  it,  was  the  work 
of  a  single  moment;  at  least,  I  cannot  realize  that  it 
lasted  any  longer.  I  now  opened  my  eyes  and  beheld 
the  renegade  standing  over  me,  with  a  tomahawk  in 
liis  hand,  from  the  blade  o?  which  fresh,  warm  blood 
•was  -tripping.  On  seeing  this,  and  the  dead  bodies  of  fa 
ther  and  William  before  me,  1  believed  that  ail  were 
murdered;  and  sinking  at  hi3  feet  I  begged  of  him  to  kill 
me  alsc. 

"  'N;;,"  he  coarsely  replied;  'you're  a  handsome  wench 
and  will  make  a  capital  Indian  squaw,'  or  words  to  that 
effect.  He  then  led  or  rather  dragged  me  down  the  knoli 
to  the  cattle  yard,  where  he  bound  my  wrists  and  then 
made  them  fast  to  a  stake,  so  that  I  could  not  escape.  He 
then  returned  to  his  companions,  and  I  could  hear  them 
yelling,  whooping,  and  laughing  for  some  minutes,  when 
they  all  came  down  together,  with  four  bloody  scalps 
hanging  to  the  bolts  of  the  renegade  and  one  other. 
The  lattei  was  in  advance,  and  in  his  hand  he  held  a 
"burning  brand.  Approaching  the  barn,  he  cast  ii  into  the 
hay-loft.  Instantly  the  fire  flashed  up,  and.  spreading 
Tapidly,  soon  burst  through  the  roof,  and  wrapped  the 
whole  building  in  flames.  At  the  same  moment  the 
flames  barst  out  of  the  cabin,  and  perceiving  this,  the 
Indians  s^t  up  another  horrible  yell  of  triumph,  and  dis 
appeared  into  the  thicket,  the  renegade'cutting  my  cords 


92  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

and  hurrying  me  along  with  the  rest. 

"For  some  distance  no  pains  were  taken  to  conceal 
our  course,  and  this  gave  me  hope  that  you  might  return, 
and  getting  assistance  from  Fort  Baker  might  follow  and 
overtake  us.  But  this  hope,  faint  as  it  was,  was  soon  de 
stroyed;  for,  reaching  the  most  dense  part  of  the  thicket, 
the  Indians  came  to  a  halt,  and  had  a  long  consultation 
together  in  thrir  own  language.  Then  the  renegade 
lurned  to  ine  and  inquired  what  person  had  left  our 
cabin  tnnr.  morning  and  gone  in  the  same  direction  he 
had  himself  taken  the  day  before.  I  replied,  a  hunter. 
Ho  then  inquired  if  he  belonged  to  the  family — if  he  had 
gone  to  follow  his  trail — and  if  he  was  expected  soon  to 
return.  These  tjuestions  I  refused  to  answer,  when  he 
struck  me  with  the  flat  of  hi.-j  hand." 

Tho  villian!"  exclaimed  Albert,  indignantly.  "Oh, 
tbat  I  had  been  there,  to  have  felled  the  monster  to  the 
earth!  To  strike  you.  dear  Rose!  But  I  am  revenged 
now,  and  so  lot  him  go.  But  did  you  answer  his  ques 
tions  then.  Rose?" 

"jMo,  and  I  firmly  told  him  I  never  would;  he  might 
kill  me  but  he  had  not  the  power  to  make  me  speak.  He 
saw  I  was  determined;  and  with  an  oath  he  turned  to 
the  Indians,  and  again  they  held  a  long  consultation. 
From  their  gestures  and  the  animated,  almost  angry  dis 
cussion  that  took  place,  I  judged  that  a  part  were  for 
going  forward,  and  the  others  for  remaining  where  they 
were,  in  the  hope  that  you  would  soon  return,  when  they 
might  either  kill  01  capture  you. 

"At  length  the  matter  became  settled;  and  the  ren 
egade  informed  me,  with  a  savage  grin  of  exultation, 
that  they  had  derided  to  await  the  hunter's  return.  This 
alarmed  me  terribly;  and  I  believe  I  suffered  more  in 
that  hour  of  dread  suspense  than  at  any  other  time  be 
fore  or  since;  nt  least  I  was  more  keenly  alive  to  fear  and 
the  horrors  of  ray  situation.  Every  leaf  that  moved  my 
excited  imagination  converted  into  the  sound  of  your 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  93 

approaching  footsteps;  and  a  thousand  times  did  I  fancy 
I  could  ?oe  you  in  the  agonies  of  dying  by  the  bloody 
tomahawk  or  murderous  rifle.  Gladly  then  would  I  have 
given  them  my  life  to  have  saved  yours." 

"Bless  you,  for  an  angel,  dearest  Rose! — bless  yen!" 
cried  Albert,  again  drawing  her  closer  to  his  beating 
heart.  "Oil,  what  have  I  ever  done  to  deserve  this  pure, 
holj'.  unselfish  affection  " 

Rose  laid  her  face  against  his  manly  breast  and 
wept;  her  voice  she  dared  not  trust  in  reply.  After 
several  moments  of  silence,  broken  only  by  her  sobs,  she 
proceeded: 

"At  length,  to  my  unspeakable  delight.  I  saw  the 
party  that  had  yielded  in  the  agreement  begin  to  show 
si«?ns  of  uneasiness  and  impatience.  Then  another  coun 
cil  was  held,  and  a  single  wavrior  was  rent  out  on  the 
trail  toward  the  burning  buildings.  In  less  than  a  quar 
ter  of  an  hour  he  returned,  and  his  report  seemed  de 
cisive  of  the  matter  in  agitation;  and  instantly  prepa 
rations  were  mado  for  departure.  The  renegade  now 
told  me  I  'oiust.  follow  him;  and  he  led  the  way  to  the  bed 
of  the  creek;  and  each  or'  the  others,  myself  next  in  line, 
entered  the  water  single  file.  I  now  saw,  by  this  precau 
tion,  that  the  party  were  as  anxious  to  break  the  trail 
as  before  they  had  been  careless  in  leaving  it  open;  and 
It  both  gave  me  pleasure  and  pain — pleasure,  because 
I  believed  you  would  now  escape;  pain,  because  I  be 
lieved  tho.t  the  trail  would  be  so  broken  that  none  could 
follow  it,  and  consequently  that  a  long,  hopeless  cap 
tivity  or  death  was  before  me.  But,  like  you,  I  prayed 
to  God  foi  strength  to  support  me  under  my  trials,  and  I 
bore  up  with  what  fortitude  I  could. 

"We  continued  in  the  creek  down  to  the  Captina,  in 
which  I  was  made  to  wade  a  considerable  distance  along 
the  beach,  when,  the  Witter  becoming  too  deep,  we  landed, 
and  follow pd  its  windings  down  to  the  Ohio,  where  the 
whole  party  swam  across,  dragging  me  over  on  a  drift- 


94  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

log. 

"But  why  pursue  my  story  in  detail!  You  follow 
ed  the  trail,  and  consequently  know  all  the  strategema 
used  by  the  savages  to  prevent  your  finding  them." 

"1  do;  and  but  for  the  superior  knowledge  of  my 
backwoods  friend,  I  fear  they  would  have  been  success 
ful.  From  all  appearances,  they  must  at  one  time  have 
traveled  very  fast." 

"They  did;  and  it  pained  me  to  keep  up  with  them. 
At  last  my  feot  became  so  swollen  and  sore  that  every 
step  I  took  almost  made  me  cry  aloud." 

"Poor  Rose,"  sighed  Albert;  "I  hope  your  troubles 
are  nearly  over  now.  When  Wetzel  returns,  and  we 
both  get  refreshed  by  food,  I  will  make  you  some  rude 
moccasins,  and  we  will  then  set  out.  for  Fort  Harmar, 
making  easy  stages.  Once  there,  dear  Rose,  it  shall  be 
the  sole  aim  of  my  life  to  make  you  happy." 

To  beguile  the  time,  Rose  now  requested  Albert  to 
give  her  an  account  of  his  own  adventures,  beginning 
where  he  had  left  off,  for  a  part  he  had  already  told  her. 
He  \vai  about  to  comply,  when  Rose  grasped  hir  arm 
in  terror,  ana  in  a  low,  trembling  tone,  exclaimed: 

"Hark!  f  hear  a  noise,  as  of  persons  running.  God 
grant  it  be  not  Indians!" 

"It  giov-s  louder,  and  consequently  draws  near," 
said  Albert-,  in  that  low,  breathless  tone  that  denotes  ex 
citement  allied  to  fear.  "Keep  quiet,  Rose — keep  quiet! 
Do  not  stir,  on  your  life!"  lie  added,  as  slowly  and  cau 
tiously  he  raised  himself  above  the  low  bushes  in  which 
he  was  concealed,  arid  peered  eagerly  around. 

Nothing  could  he  see;  but  the  noise  was  evidenly 
approaching  from  behing  a  thicket  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  creek;  and  deliberately  raising  his  rifle  to  his  shoul 
der,  he  fixed  his  eye  steadily  in  that  direction,  and  await 
ed  the  result.  Every  moment  the  sounds  grew  more 
audible  as  the  cause  drew  nearer;  and  Albert  could  feel 
the  hands  of  Rose  tremble  as  she  clung  to  his  knees  in 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  95 

alarm. 

"Down,  down,  dear  Albert,"  she  cried,  "or  you  will 
be  seen  and  killed!  Oh,  for  God's  sake,  do  not  expose 
yourself!"  she  added,  pleasantly. 

'"Hist!"  said  the  other;  and  as  he  spoke  his  eye  was 
already  glancing  along  the  barrel  of  his  deadly  rifle. 

The  next  moment  the  bushes  skirting  the  creek 
were  violently  agitated,  there  was  a  heavy  splash  in  the 
water,  and  a  noble  deer  bounded  into  view.  Instantly 
he  recoiled  in  dismay — for  the  rank  smell  of  blood  of  his 
foemen  h;-.d  reached  him.  But  he  was  doomed.  The 
shriek  of  a  female  and  the  crack  of  a  rifle,  together 
awoke  the  echoes  of  the  deep  forest;  and  bounding  for 
ward  a  few  paces  the  noble  animal  reared  himself  on 
his  legs,  staggered  and  rolling  over  upon  his  back,  ex 
pired. 

"Nay,  Rose,  be  not  alarmed!"  said  Albert,  now  ad 
dressing  her  in  a  gentle  tone.  "Providence  has  kindly 
sent  us  a  deer,  and  I  have  killed  it. 

"Thank  heaven!"  ejaculated  the  other,  fervently. 
"I  was  fearful  it  was  our  common  enemy.  But  the  ani 
mal  was  frightened,  was  it  not,  Albert?" 

"Ay,  very  much;  but  doubtless  our  friend  was  the 
cause.  I  would  he  were  here  now;  though,  if  witihn 
sound  of  mv  rifle,  he  will  speedily  return,  well  knowing 
it  would  not  have  been  discharged  needlessly." 

"You  think,  then,  Albert,  we  have  no  reason  to  ap- 
pretend  anything  serious  from  the  fright  of  this  animal?' 

''God  forbid  that  we  should!"  said  Albert,  feeling, 
from  some  unknown  cause,  secretly  uneasy,  though  he 
took  good  care  to  conceal  his  forebodings  from  the  other. 
"I  will  reload  my  rifle  and  then  endeavor  to  prepare  such 
a  meal  as  our  limited  circumstances  will  permit." 

In  a  short  time  his  piece  was  recharged;  and,  bid 
ding  Rose  re-main  where  she  was  till  all  was  ready,  he 
leaned  the  muzzle  against  a  tree,  and  drawing  his  knife 
at  once  fell  upon  the  carcass  of  the  deer.  Having  selected 


96  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

a  spot  to  his  liking,  he  rekindled  the  Indian  camp-nre; 

and  cutting  the  meat  into  thin  slices,  attached  it  to  roast- 

ing  sticks,  and  so  placed  them  that  it  would  sooii  he  done 

thoroughly. 

Hunger,  by  this  time,  had  become  very  acute  with 
both  Albert  and  Hose;  and  the  savory  smell  of  the  meat, 
as  it  roasted  at  the  fire,  gave  them  a  keenness  of  appetite 
that  neither  had  felt  since  the  heart-rendering  tragedy 
already  narrated.  As  soon  as  the  steak  was  fairly  cook 
ed  Albert  carried  a  piece  to  Rose,  who,  on  tasting  it,  ex 
claimed: 

"It  is  the  sweetest  morsel  I  ever  ate." 
"I  agree  with  you,"  returned  Albert,  as  he  followed 
her  example.  "Such,"  he  continued,  "is  the  effect  of 
hunger  under  peculiar  circumstances.  We  now  think 
this  delicious,  without  seasoning  or  bread,  which  at  one 
time  we  cculd  not  so  have  eaten.  Those  who  have  never 
known  hunger  know  not  the  value  of  food;  and  it  is  just 
the  same  with  everything  else;  by  the  loss  of  the  bless 
ings  we  have  had  do  we  only  learn  to  prize  them  at 
their  true  worth.  It  no  other  good  comes  of  our  trials, 
I  trust  they  will  teach  us  not  to  repine  without  cause, 
aa  thousands  do  who  have  never  known  adversity.  I  do 
not  set  up  for  a  moralizer,  nor  do  I  believe  in  special 
dispensations,  but  1  speak  truly,  from  my  heart,  when  I 
say  I  believe  our  adversities,  if  rightly  viewed,  become 
ultimate  benefits,  either  in  fitting  us  more  properly  to 
live  here,  or  to  go  hence  to  the  state  that  lieth  beyond 
human  ken.  God  ordereth  all  things,  and  He  alone 
knoweth  what  is  best;  and  though  He  may  not  change  a 
single  law  of  nature  to  reward  or  chastise — as  a  special 
dispensation  would  seem  to  imply — yet  He  may  so  place 
us  upon  this  great  wheel  of  events  that  combined  cir 
cumstances  shall  throw  around  us  a  chain  of  afflictions 
that,  in  the  end.  as  I  have  said,  will  result  to  our  good. 
Therefore,  let  the  moral  be  deducted  from  this,  that 
whatever  is,  is  best," 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  97 

"Such,"  answered  Rose,  "I  believe  to  be  a  true  doc 
trine;  and  it  certainly  is  a  consoling  one  to  those  who 
have  been  or  may  be  tried  like  ourselves." 

Thus  conversing,  our  young  levers  finished  their  fru 
gal  repast,  and  found  themselves  refreshed  to  a  degree  far 
beyond  their  expectations. 

'I  fell  now,"  said  Rose,  "as  if  I  had  strength  for  the 
journey.' 

"I  would  that  Wetzel  were  come!"  returned  the 
other;  "for  \\e  should  improve  the  day,  as  best  \ve  can, 
in  increasing  the  distance  between  us  and  our  enemies. 
I  will  employ  the  time  however,  in  constructing  you  a 
pair  of  moccasins  from  the  hide  of  this  animal." 

Saying  this,  Albert  advanced  to  the  deer,  and  bend 
ing  over  it  commenced  removing  its  hide.  He  was  thus 
busied,  when  suddenly  he  heard  a  shriek  from  Rose 
that  made  his  heart  fairly  leap  to  his  throat.  Hardly 
conscious  of  what  he  did,  he  sprang  for  his  rifle,  but  he 
was  too  late.  Already  a  swarthy  savage  had  grasped  it, 
and  the  horrid  yells  of  more  than  twenty  others  had 
sounded  in  his  ear.  At  the  same  instant  a  blow  on  the 
head  from  behind  laid  him  senseless  upon  the  earth. 

CHAPTER  X. 

The  Rescue. 

When  our  young  hero  again  recovered  his  senses  he 
found  himself  lying  on  his  back,  but  not  where  he  had 
fallen,  and  a  party  of  some  five  or  six  savages  standing 
around  him,  apparently  holding  a  consultation.  During 
his  state  of  unconsciousness  he  had,  contrary  to  their 
usual  custom,  been  removed  several  hundred  wards  from 
tho  camp;  but  for  what  purpose  was  known  only  to  his 
captors,  though  they  probably  supposed  a  considerable 
party  of  whites  to  be  near,  and  did  this  as  a  necessary 
precaution. 

At  first,  on  regaining  his  senses,  Albert,  as  might 
naturally  be  supposed  looked  around  him  with  a  bewil- 


gg  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

dered  air.  ^here  he  was  he  could  not  tell.  Gradually 
a  recollection  of  events  returned  to  him,  but  what  time 
had  elapsed  since  his  fall  he  had  no  means  of  knowing. 
Now  he  thought  of  Rose,  and  he  turned  an  eager  look 
in  every  direction,  hut  she  was  nowhere  to  be  seen.  Then 
came  the  horrible  thought  that  perhaps  she  had  been 
murdered,  and  we  leave  the  reader  to  imagine  his  feel 
ings.  Could  he  conscientiously  sustain  his  philosophy 
now  that  "whatever  is,  is  for  the  best?"  Certain  it  is, 
that  he  had  to  put  it  to  one  of  the  severest  tests  that  a 
mortal  is  over  called  upon  to  undergo;  and  if  he  some 
what  shrunk  from  the  terr.ible  ordeal,  with  a  repining 
thought,  it  must  be  attributed  rather  to  a  weakness  of 
human  nature — a  yielding  to  bitter  circumstances —  than 
to  a  positive  change  in  his  belief  of  the  wise  orderings 
of  a  Divine  Providence. 

Albert  was  a  young  man  of  strong  physical  and 
mentai  abilities;  and  without  possessing  that  coarse  and 
reckless  hardihood  which  was  so  characteristic  of  a  large 
portion  of  the  earliest  pioneers,  he  was  as  well  fitted  per 
haps,  by  nature  and  education,  to  sustain  himself,  under 
all  his  severe  afflictions,  though  in  a  different  manner, 
as  the  beat  of  them.  Keenly  sensitive  to  the  highest 
degree — passionate  in  extreme — of  an  ardent,  impulsive 
temperament,  and  prone  to  give  full  sway  to  his  feelings 
— he  yet  possessed  a  self-command  and  a  fortitude,  when 
brought  to  the  last  trial,  that  surprised  even  himself.  It 
is  an  undeniable  truth  that  nc  one  knows  what  he  ran 
undergo  till  he  is  tried;  and  those  who  take  light  griefs 
in  a  violent  outward  semblance  are  often  capable  of  pass 
ing  triumphantly  through  the  most  fiery  ordeals  of  af 
fliction  and  adversity. 

On  beholding  his  friends  murdered,  Albert  had  felt 
but  for  the  escape  of  her  he  loved,  and  the  hope  of  restor 
ing  her  to  liberty  and  happiness,  he  must  have  sunk  un 
der  the  awful  blow;  yet  now,  in  a  moment  of  triumph 
and  Comparative  felicity,  she  had  not  only  been  sudden- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  99 

ly  snatched  from  him,  most  probably  forever,  but  he  had 
been  made  a  captive  himself  to  a  ruthless  foe;  and  still 
he  was  able  to  bear  his  misfortune  without  entirely  sink 
ing  under  a  crushing  weight  of  despair.  She  might  be 
dead,  for  all  he  knew  to  the  contrary — or  even,  at  the 
best,  was  a  hopeless  prisoner — and  still  he  lived  on,  bear 
ing  his  second  griefs  even  more  manfully  than  he  did  the 
first,  yet  <vith  no  dulled  faculties,  but  with  sensations  as 
keenly  alive  to  acute  suffering  as  then. 

Feeling  a  pain  in  his  head.  Albert  raised  his  hand  to 
it;  and,  as  he  drew  it  back,  all  bloody,  he  for  the  first 
time  became  aware  that  he  had  been  so  seriously  wound 
ed;  and  his  wonder  now  was  that  he  had  not  immediately 
been  dispatched,  or  at  least  scalped,  and  left  on  the 
ground  for  dead.  He  had  been  struck  on  the  back  of  the 
head,  evidently,  with  a  heavy  club,  or  the  breech  of  a 
musket;  and  though  no  bone  had  been  fractured,  the 
flesh  had  been  divided,  so  as  to  leave  a  gaping  wound, 
from  which  the  blood  had  flowed  freely,  and  clotted 
among  his  hair.  No  attempt  had  been  made  to  dress 
the  wound;  but  he  had  been  raised  just  as  he  had  fallen, 
and  borne  to  the  spot  where  he  now  found  himself;  and 
where,  it,  would  appear,  he  had  been  deposited  by  his 
•captors  till  a  short  council  should  decide  upon  his  fate. 

On  finding  their  prisoner  had  fully  recovered  his 
consciousness,  a  tall,  athletic  warrior,  who  appeared  to 
"be  the  leader  of  the  party;  now  approached  him,  and  111 
tolerable  English,  said : 

'Pale-face  brave — him  kill  so  warrior,"  holding  up 
four  lingers  to  denote  the  number  of  slain. 

As  to  this  Albert  did  not  see  proper  to  reply,  not 
being  fully  awiire  what  kind  of  an  answer  would  be  po 
litic,  the  other  continued: 

"Warrior  lose  scalp — pale-face  no  got  him — squaw 
no  got  him — who  sot  him?" 

"Did  not  the  girl  tell  you?"  inquired  Albert,  anx 
ious  to  learn  whether  Rose  was  living  or  dead;  and  at 
the  same  time  he  raised  himself  to  a  sitting  posture. 


100  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

'No  ask  him,"  was  the  reply. 
"And  why  did  you  not  ask  her?"  pursued  Albert. 

"Him  gone." 

"Dead,  do  you  mean?" 

"Him  gone,"  was  the  still  evasive  reply.    "You  tell." 

"If  you  will  answer  my  question,  chief,  I  will  ans 
wer  yours — hot  otherwise." 

"Me  Ogwehea,"  rejoined  the  savage,  touching  his 
breast,  "no  chief.  Tarhe  chief — great  chief.  Ogwehea 
great  warrior — kill  so  scalp,"  holding  up  eight  fingers. 

"But  you  have  not  answered  my  question,  Ogwehea. 
TeU  me  wnether  the  girl  is  living  or  dead,  and  I  will  tell 
you  what  has  become  of  your  brothers'  scalps,  for  I  see 
by  your  dress  and  war-paint  that  you  belong  to  the  same 
tribe." 

"Squaw  dead,"  answered  the  Indian. 

"Oh,  God!"  groaned  Albert,  bowing  his  head  upon 
his  hands,  and  struggling  manfully  with  his  feelings. 

For  a  minute  or  two  the  savage  watched  him  in  si 
lence;  and  then  touching  him  on  the  shoulder,  said: 

"Ogwehea  tell  pale-face — pale-face  not  tell  Ogwehea. 
Who  scalp  got?" 

For  some  moments  longer  Albert  hesitated  what  to 
reply.  Although  the  Indian  had  said  that  Rose  was  deau, 
he  could  ho.rdlv  credit  the  idea  that  they  would  kill  a  fe 
male,  and  yet  spare  his  own  life;  and  if  living,  he  wished 
to  answer  in  such  a  way  that  it  might  result  to  her  bene 
fit,  though  in  ever  so  slight  a  degree.  Should  he  say  the 
scalps  were  in  possession  of  a  large  party  of  whites,  who 
were  near,  the  Indians  might  prowl  around  for  days, 
waiting  to  surprise  them — as  he  could  easily  account  for 
the  absence  of  all  traces,  by  saying  they  had  hid  their 
trail  in  the  water — and  this  delay  might  give  Wetzel  time 
to  reach  Baker's  Fort,  and  bring  up  the  garrison  to  his 
rescue.  On  the  other  hand,  it  might  induce  the  Indians 
to  set  off  for  their  villages  with  extra  speed;  and  if 
Rose  were  really  a  prisoner  and  should  lag  behind — as  in 
her  present  weak  condition  he  knew  she  must — they 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  101 

might  tomahawk  her  to  get  rid  of  the  trouble  of  forcing 
her  along,  and  also  in  order  to  quicken  their  progress. 
Again,  should  he  tell  them  the  scalps  were  in  possession 
of  a  single  hunter,  they  might  find  the  trail  of  Wetzel, 
follow  it,  and  come  upon  his  friend  unawares,  and  either 
kill  or  make  him  a  prisoner  also;  and  thus,  their  security 
being  increased,  they  might  venture  down  upon  the  set 
tlers  and  again  put  the  tomahawk  and  brand  to  their 
fearful  work.  Put  on  the  other  hand  again,  their  very 
security  might  relax  the  vigilance,  and  give  him  an  op 
portunity  to  effect  an  escape.  There  was  something  in 
favor  and  against  either  tale,  and  Albert  was  sorely  per 
plexed  to  decide  as  to  which  would  be  the  most  politic.  At 
last  he  resolved  on  telling  the  plain  truth;  for,  after  a 
careful  examination,  he  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
chances  of  esca,pe  were  in  favor  of  this;  and  he  trusted 
that  Wetzel,  with  his  superior  backwoods  skill  and  na 
tive  sagacity,  would  be  able  to  outwit  his  foes. 

His  decision  formed,  Albert  at  once  proceeded  to  give 
the  already  impatient  Indian  a  few  brief  facts  tpuching 
the  murder  of  his  family,  the  capture  of  Rose,  the  follow 
ing  of  the  trail,  and  the  venegeance  he  and  only  one 
other  had  taken  upon  their  foes. 

Ogwehea  heard  him  through,  without  betraying  the 
slightest  passing  thought  or  emotion;  but  when  he  had 
concluded  the  savage  gave  a  satisfied  grunt,  and  there 
was  the  slightest  shade  of  admiration  expressed  in  his 
eye,  a*  he  ejaculated,  with  the  deep  gutteral  accent  pecu 
liar  to  tbe  Indian: 

'Pale-face  brave." 

He  then  walked  back  to  his  companions,  who  had 
been  standing  apart;  silently  awaiting  the  termination 
of  his  interview  with  the  prisoner,  and  communicated  to 
them  what  he  had  learned.  Immediately  a  messenger 
was  dispatched  to  the  other  division,  (for  the  Indians,  as 
the  rt-ader  has  no  doubt  divined,  had  already  formed  two 
diptinct  companies,)  which  was  also  holding  a  consulta 
tion  rot  far  off.  In  a  few  minutes  the  messenger  re- 


102  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

turned;  and  presently  all  but  two,  who  were  left  as 
guard  over  Albert,  departed;  but  for  what  purpose  the 
latter  had  no  means  of  knowing,  and  it  is  not  our  de 
sign  here  to  explain. 

After  ar  absence  of  more  than  an  hour,  during 
which  our  hero  was  left  to  his  own  reflections,  with  no 
other  restraint  upon  him  than  the  knowledge  that  his 
every  movement  was  closely  watched,  the  party  of  four 
returned,  and  immediately  took  up  their  line  of  march, 
Ogwehea  in  advance.  Keeping  along  the  bank  of  the 
stream.  They  continued  thus  for  an  hour,  Albert  forming 
the  center  of  the  file,  when  they  came  to  a  halt,  and  held 
another  short  consultation,  the  object  of  which  was  tc  de 
cide  whether  the  prisoner  should  be  bound  or  suffered  to 
continue  at  liberty.  The  former  was  at  length  decided 
on,  as  a  wise  precaution,  and  accordingly  they  set  about 
it  at  on-:e.  A  stout  thong  of  deer-skin  was  produced 
and  Ogwehea  ordered  our  hero  to  place  his  hands  behind 
him.  He  obeyed,  without  a  murmur,  and  they  immed 
iately  bound  the  throng  so  tight  around  his  wrists  as  to 
pain  him  exceedingly.  This  act  showed  that  they  con 
sidered  him  a  dangerous  prisoner;  and  while  he  felt  it 
to  be  a  compliment  to  his  bravery,  he  secretly  admitted 
that  It  would  have  pleased  him  much  better  tc  have  had 
such  omiuous  flattery  dispensed  with. 

The  party  now  continued  the  same  course  for  a  mile 
or  two  furth-jr,  when  they  suddenly  entered  the  creek,  and 
turning  face  about,  continued  in  its  bed  back  to  the  camp. 
The  design  of  all  this  was  very  apparent  to  Albert.  They 
probably  discredited  his  story  with  regard  to  the  num 
ber  that  had  made  the  attack  on  the  first  captors  of  Rose; 
and  as  it  was  evidently  their  design  not  to  return  to  their 
villages  without  more  prisoners  or  scalps,  they  took  this 
method  to  deceive  their  pursuers,  should  they  have  any. 
and  baffle  all  attempts  to  follow  their  trail. 

Some  four  hours  had  now  been  consumed  sinc«  Al 
bert's  capture;  and  although  he  had  been  forced  to  \valk 
a  considerable  distance,  yet  he  was  still  at  the  very  place 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  103 

where  he  had  passed  the  night.  He  had  thought  him 
self  miserable  then;  but  oh!  what  a  fearful  change  had 
there  since  been  for  the  worse!  He  was  theu  free,  at 
least,  and  hope  was  bright,  though  somewhat  dimmed  by 
fear;  now  he  was  a  captive;  bound,  with  nothing  cheer 
ing  m  prospect.  And  when  he  recalled  the  happy  mo 
ments  he  had  spent  with  her  he  loved,  and  contrasted 
them  with  his  present  gloomy  prospects,  and  the  aAvful 
uncertainty  that  hung  over  the  object  of  his  affections, 
he  indeed  felt  as  if  more  than  mortal  power  was  required 
to  sustain  him.  He  gazed  upon  the  spot  where  he  had 
last  seen  Rose,  and,  in  spite  of  all  the  fortitude  he  could 
summon  to  his  aid,  he  felt  his  heart  swell  almost  to 
bursting  with  grief,  ana  he  turned  away  his  face,  un 
able  to  endure  the  sight  any  longer. 

Soon  after  the  halt  of  the  captors  of  Alhert  at  this 
place,  they  were  joined  by  some  five  or  six  warriors  of 
the  other  division,  when  all  entered  the  creek,  and  set 
off  together,  taking  Albert  along,  and  shaping  their 
course  so  as  to  strike  the  Ohio  at  its  nearest  point.  How 
many  wero  left  behind  he  knew  not,  nor  what  had  be 
came  of  little  Rose.  Could  it  be  possible  that  the  words 
of  Ogwehea  were  true,  and  that  Rose  was  in  reality 
dead?  Oh'  it  was  a  fearful  thought;  but  he  had  no  rea 
son,  other  than  that  we  have  named,  for  thinking  the 
contrary,  and  h's  fears  made  the  worst  an  almost  terrible 
reality. 

For  some  two  or  three  miles  the  Indian  party — now 
numbering  no  less  than  twelve  athletic  warriors,  com 
manded  by  Og.vehea — continued  in  the  creek;  when, 
thinking  sufficient  precautions  had  been  taken  to  render 
them  secure  against  pursuers,  they  came  out,  and  struck 
off  across  the  forest,  single  file — first  sending  off  two  or 
three  of  the  party  as  scouts  to  give  the  alarm  in  case  of 
danger,  or  warn  them  of  the  vicinity  of  an  enemy  that 
might  fall  an  easy  prey. 

The  tramp  was  long  and  tedious  to  Albert;  and  as 
the  sun  went  down  behind  the  Western  hills  he  felt  that 


104  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

his  sun  of  hope  was  also  setting.  Nothing  had  occurred 
throughout  the  day.  heyond  what  we  have  given,  worthy 
of  being  recorded  in  these  pages.  The  scouts  had  not 
made  their  appearance  since  their  departure;  but  as  this 
was  not  an  unusual  thing,  it  occasioned  no  alarm,  and 
elicited  no  remark  from  any  of  the  party;  in  fact,  it 
rather  gave  a  feeling  of  security,  as  it  was  common  for 
them  to  be  absent  days  at  a  time,  when  everything  re 
mained  peaceful. 

As  night  drew  on  the  Indians  selected  a  proper  place 
for  encarap'ng,  and  kindled  a  fire.  The  spot  chosen  was 
wild  and  picturesque — it  being  at  the  foot  of  a  steep  hill, 
and  the  junction  of  a  ravine  with  a  small  rivulet,  where 
the  branching  hemlocks,  growing  thick,  almost  excluded 
the  light  oO  day.  On  the  other  side  of  the  rivulet,  or 
creek, — as  every  small  stream  was  almost  invariably  de- 
nonr'natiid  r>y  the  early  settlers — another  steep  hill  came 
down  to  the  water,  also  covered  with  hemlocks,  so  that  in 
broad  daylight  it  was  impossible  to  see  more  than  fifty 
yards  in  any  direction,  and  a  glance  at  the  sky  over 
head  could  only  here  and  there  be  had  through  an  oc 
casional  gor.bic  window  in  this  leaf-matted,  evergreen 
dome  of  nature. 

Albert  was  now  made  fast  to  a  small  tree  by  a  strip 
of  deer-skin  passing  around  his  neck  and  ankles,  much  in 
the  same  inanaor  as  Rose  had  been  confined  the  night  be 
fore.  His  captors  now  liberated  his  hands,  and  offered 
him  food  and  water — both  of  which  he  partook  some 
what  freely — he  having  by  this  time  discovered  that  if 
the  theory  of  going  without  eating  was  perfectly  consis 
tent  with  a  captive  overwhelmed  with  grief,  yet  that  na- 
tare  would  assert  her  rights,  by  making  long,  weary 
marches  t-hu  most  unfortunate  times  in  the  world  to  put 
s'-ich  theories  in  practice. 

fclome  half  un  hour  after  his  meal  was  finished,  Al 
bert,  who  had  begun  to  congratulate  himself  on  being 
left  in  such  a  manner  that  he  could  pass  the  night  with 
tolerable  ease— -and  perbaps,  while  his  captors  were 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  105 

asleep,  be  enabled  to  make  his  escape — was  sorely  disap 
pointed  by  the  precautions  the  Indians  now  saw  proper 
to  take.  Instead  of  his  hands  being  left  at  liberty,  he 
•was  now  placed  on  his  back,  and  his  wrists  tightly  cord 
ed  to  a  stick  than  ran  along  the  ground  under  his  should 
ers.  This  done,  a  second  stick  was  placed  under  his  back 
length\\ipe,  so  that  the  two  would  form  a  rude  cross;  and 
to  this  was  bound  his  ankles — the  strip  of  deer-skin 
around  his  neck  still  remaining,  with  the  other  end  fast 
to  a  tree  Nothing  could  be  more  uncomfortable  than 
tills  mode  of  being-  confined.  It  was  impossoble  for  him 
to  move  a  hand  or  foot;  while  the  sticks,  pressing  hard 
against  his  back  and  shoulders,  stopped  the  circulation 
of  the  blood,  and  completely  benumbed  him.  Nothwith- 
standing  thi&  painful  position,  so  fatigued  was  he,  that 
he  soon  fell  asleep,  and  slept  soundly  for  several  hours. 

At  daylight  the  Indians  were  stirring;  and  one  of 
their  first  ads  was  to  release  their  prisoner  from  hie 
painful  confinement.  It  was  some  time,  however,  be 
fore  he  could  stand,  and  his  wrists  and  ankles  were  found 
to  be  considerably  swollen.  Gradually  he  recovered  the 
use  of  his  l-mbs;  and  by  the  time  lie  had  done  so  the 
whole  party  was  ready  for  a  start.  Swallowing  a  hasty 
breakfast,  they  again  set  out,  still  shaping  their  course 
toward  the  Ohio,  but  changing  the  first  direction  so  as 
to  strike  it  at  a  point  some  half  way  between  Baiter's 
Fort  and  Fort  Harmar. 

Nothing  of  interest  occurred  till  about  mid-day, 
when,  just  as  they  had  halted  beside  a  spring  of  cooi 
water  to  take  somo  refreshments,  one  of  the  scouts  came 
-.n  with  a  hasty  step.  There  is  rarely  anything  in  the 
expression  of  an  Indian's  countenance  by  which  we  can 
judge  of  tne  thoughts  and  emotions  that  lie  hidden  un 
der  the  stern,  warlike  exterior;  and  so  it  was  with  the 
present  scout,  though  he  had  most  important  matters  to 
communicate.  Gliding  quietly  into  the  circle  of  war 
riors,  he  stood  silent,  awaiting  to  be  addressed  by  the 
leader  of  the  party;  but  as  soon  as  this  Indian  formal- 


106  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

ity  had  been  complied  with,  he  spoke  rapidly  for  several 
minutes  Although  Albert  could  not  understand  a  word 
he  uttered  yet  he  felt  satisfied,  by  his  gestures,  and  the 
manner  of  the  other  savages,  that  what  he  communicat 
ed  was  of  grave  import.  Several  times  their  hands 
clutched  their  weapons  convulsively,  and  many  a  dark, 
menacing  look  was  turned  upon  their  prisoner,  as  though 
they  meditated  immediate  death  to  him. 

When  the  messenger  had  done  speaking-,  all  drew 
together,  and  a  hasty  council  was  held,  which  lasted 
some  five  minutes.  As  soon  as  this  was  over,  all  ate 
hurriedly,  when  the  scout  and  two  companions  withdrew 
from  the  others  and  disappeared,  leaving  only  seven  in 
the  party  that  guarded  the  prisoner.  The  Indians  now 
offered  the  latter  some  food — by  which  be  judged  that 
?f  they  had  decided  to  take  his  life,  his  death  was  reserv 
ed  to  somf-  future  period.  As  soon  as  he  had  eaten,  the 
whole  party  resumed  their  journey. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  throughout  the 
day,  though  Albert  did  not  fail  to  notice  that  the  In 
dians  were  more  than  doubly  guarded  in  all  their  move 
ments. 

Just  as  the  sun  was  setting  they  reached  the  north 
ern  bank  of  the  Ohio;  and  selecting  a  suitable  place  en 
camped  for  the  night — our  young  hero  receiving  precise 
ly  the  same  treatment  as  the  night  before.  None  of  the 
scouts  returned;  and  this,  instead  of  increasing  the  con- 
lidence  of  the  savages  in  their  own  security,  as  it  had 
appeared  to  do  on  a  previous  occasion,  seemed  to  give 
them  more  uneasiness  than  they  cared  to  have  expressed 
in  their  manner.  Toward  morning  it  set  in  to  rain;  and 
the  water  quenching  the  fire,  and  drenching  our  hero, 
would  have  made  his  condition  almost  intolerable,  but 
that,  in  saturating  the  deer-skin  thongs  that  bound  him, 
it  caused  them  to  give  in  such  a  way  that  his  swollen 
limbs  found  considerable  relief.  Sleep  was,  of  course, 
out  of  the  question  with  all  parties;  and  the  Indians 
arose  and  paced  around  the  camp  till  daylight,  but  did 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  107 

not  attempt  to  rekindle  the  fire. 

Following  tlie  windings  of  the  Ohio,  the  party  no~w 
set  off  down  stream,  the  rain  continuing  unabated  till 
near  midday,  when  it  ceased,  and  the  clouds  broke  away, 
though  they  remained  floating  through  the  humid  at 
mosphere  till  sundown. 

4s  soon  as  the  rain  was  over  a  short  consultation 
was  held,  and  another  warrior  sent  off  as  a  scout.  Two 
hours  after  a  second  departed  and  about  two  hours  later 
a  third.  As  none  of  these  had  returned  when  his  cap 
tors  hailed  for  the  night,  Albert  felt  strong  hopes  of  be 
ing  atle  to  effect  his  escape  ere  long;  for,  somehow,  he 
rightly  judged  that  those  who  had  taken  their  departure 
would  never  behold  their  companions  again. 

A  similar  idea  appeared  to  trouble  the  Indians;  and 
it  was  easy  to  perceive,  by  watching  them  closely,  that 
they  were  secretly  becoming  alarmed,  and  that  to  a  de 
gree  a  little  short  of  absolute  fright.  It  was  strange, 
very  strange,  that  none  of  the  scouts  came  back  to  give 
them  InfoT-mation  of  the  enemv;  and  when  they  remem 
bered  the  eonionmication  of  the  first  who  had  come  In 
the  day  before,  it  was  very  natural  that  people  so  super 
stitious  should  attribute  the  loss  of  so  many  brave  com 
panions  to  a  supernatural  agency;  and  then  in  council 
resolved  that  if  none  of  the  parties  sent  out  made  their 
appearance  before  morning,  they  would  take  the  shortest 
path  to  their  villages,  where  the  prisoners  should  be  re 
ligiously  burned  to  appease  the  anger  of  the  Great  Spirit. 

Tn  the  solemn  watches  of  that  night,  when  the  In 
dians  were  lost  in  slumber — and  while  our  hero,  confin 
ed  in  the  customary  manner,  was  lying  on  his  back,  and 
in  a  confused  state,  between  sleeping  and  waking,  and 
recalling  indistinctly  the  events  of  the  last  few  days — 
*he  soft  notes  of  a  whip-poor-will  sounded  in  his  ear- 
Like  lightning  his  thoughts  flew  to  the  camp  of  Rose, 
and  for  a  bare  moment  he  fancied  he  was  again  striving 
for  her  deliverance;  the  next  all  his  senses  were  keenly 
alive,  and  a  suspicion,  he  had  for  some  time  entertained. 


108  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

became  almost  a  certainty.  There  was  no  part  of  his  per 
son  he  could  move  save  his  head;  but  this  he  raised,  and 
silently  nodded,  in  token  that  he  understood  the  signal. 

The  song  of  the  whip-poor-will  ceased,  and  for  some 
minutes  the  deep  silence  of  nature  reigned  in  that  soli 
tude  of  the  wilderness. 

The  appearance  of  the  camp  was  much  like  the  one 
we  first  described,  where  little  Forest  Rose  was  held     a 
captive.     There  was  precisely  the  same  number  of     cap 
tors,  and  they  were  stretched  around  the  fire  much     as 
then,  with  the  exception  that  the  prisoner  was  left  more 
by  himself — there  being  no  one  immediately  on  either  side 
of  h'm.  As    if  to    complete  the  resemblance,  behind  him 
rose  rx  tremendous  sycamore,  within  a  few  feet  of  where 
rested  his  head,  its  broad  arms  spreading  a  thick  canopy 
of  leaves  over  the  v.hole  camp.     The  view  in  the  forest 
was  not  so  extended,  owing  to  a  thicket  of  hazel,  which 
cut  it  off  on  two  sides,  within  a  few  feet  of  the  fire;  and 
on  the  other  sides  light  flashed  upon  the  dark  waters  of 
the  Ohio,  \vhicn  here  made  a  short  bend  around  the  point 
on  wliich  the  camp  was  located.     Although  alarmed     at 
the  mysterious  absence  of  their  comrades,   the   Indians 
knew  too  well  the  keen  sagacity  and  skill  of  those  sent 
out,  to  believe  they  could  all  be  entrapped  and  killed  by 
a  white  enemy,  no  matter  how  numerous;  and  as  they  had 
no  apprehension  of  such  a  foe,  l.hey  in  consequence  deem 
ed  it  useless  to  have  a  sentinel  guard  their  camp.  Each 
had  laid  himself  down  with  a  resolve  that  if  he  slept  at 
all>  to  sleep  so  lightly  that  the  least  sound  should  wake 
him.    For  a  Ion?  time  all  kept  awake;  but  gradually  one 
after  another  grew  drowsy  and  closed  his  eyes;  and  the 
'ast  one  ha<?  just  passed  to  a  state  of  forgetfulness,  when 
the  notes  of  the  whip-poor-will  sounded.     This  was  heard 
by  one  or  two  of  the  party;  but  being  a  familiar  sound  to 
them  caused  no  alarm;  and  by  the  time  its  soft  strain  was 
finished  they  had  forgotten  having  heard  it,  and  passed 
into  a  slumber  heavier  than  ever. 

Not  so  our  hero;  and  he  laid  awake  and  listened  till 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  109 

a  doubt  of  its  being  other  than  it  seemed  began  to  «TOSS 
his  mind,  atid  cause  him  the  most  painful  feelings  of  dis 
appointment.  But  he  was  not  suffered  to  despair  en 
tirely.  After  the  lapse  of  some  quarter  of  an  hour,  dur 
ing  which  he  had  heard  nothing  but  the  deep  roar  of  the 
forest,  the  bowlings  of  a  distant  pack  of  wolves — seen 
nothing  save  the  quivering  of  the  green  leaves  over  his 
head,  and  occasionally  a  flickering  shadow  cast  by  the 
fire  upon  the  wall  of  the  thicket — after 'a  lapse  of  a 
Quarter  of  an  hour,  we  say,  he  felt  something  cold  touch 
one  of  his  outstretched  hands. 

On  turning  his  eyes  in  that  direction  he  beheld  the 
glittering  blade  of  a  knife,  attached  to  a  long  ?tick,  one 
end  of  which  was  concealed  behind  the  tree.  Instead  of 
alarm,  this  caused  the  same  intense  inward  joy  that  a 
captive  would  feel  in  a  prison  on  beholding  an  instrument 
at  work  to  sever  the  bars  that  confined  him  from  the 
world.  He  did  not  move — he  scarcely  breathed — so 
fearful  was  he  that  the  slightest  sound  might  awaken  his 
captors,  and  destroy  his  hope  of  escape.  Slowly  the 
knife  turned,  guided  by  an  unseen  hand,  and  gliding  un 
der  his  wrists  severed  the  thong  that  bound  his  arm. 
Then  it  was  carefully  moved  to  the  other,  and  the  liga 
ture-  cut  in  the  same  manner.  Albert  now  felt  that  both 
arms  were  free;  but  still  he  let  them  rest  in  the  same  po 
sition  as  before,  while  the  blade  of  the  knife  glided  back 
out  of  his  sight.  A  minute  or  two  elapsed,  during  which 
he  did  not  move,  when  he  felt  the  haft  o?  the  knife  in 
his  hand,  and  saw  the  blade  sticking  in  the  end  of  a  pole. 
His  hand  closed  upon  it,  the  pole  was  withdrawn,  and 
he  fo'.inc!  himself  master  of  a  weapon,  by  which  he  could 
In  an  instant  sever  his  remaining  fetters,  and  be  once 
more  at  liberty.  Judge  of  his  feelings  then,  reader,  for 
pen  of  o-jr:'  has  not  power  to  describe  them. 

But  he  did  not  stop  long  to  rejoice,  for  action  was 
necessary.  Raising  himself  carefully,  he  slipped  his 
hand  down  to  his  feet,  and  the  next  moment  he  was  free, 
though  his  feet  were  so  benumbed  he  thought  it  prudent 


110  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

not  to  attempt  to  use  them  for  several  minul.es.  Severing 
all  the  ligatures,  which,  notwithstanding  he  was  clear 
of  tbe  sticks,  were  pressing  into  the  flesh  of  his  wrists 
and  ankles  he  cautiously  chafed  the  corded  parts,  and 
soon  had  the  satisfaction  of  feeling  the  blood  in  action  by 
experiencing  a  prickly  sensation. 

In  a  fe\v  minutes  he  found,  to  his  great  delight,  that 
all  his  limbs  were  completelj  under  his  control.  He  then 
rose  carefully,  and  commenced  moving  cautiously  toward 
the  tree,  behind  \vhich  the  mysterious  agent,  who  had 
come  so  opportunely  to  his  aid,  was  concealed.  He  had 
only  advanced  a  couple  of  steps,  when  his  foot  unfortu 
nately  pressed  on  a  dry  stick.  IT  snapped,  with  a  sharp 
noise;  and  instantly  one  of  the  savages  sprang  up,  and 
perceiving  his  prisoner  about  to  escape,  grasped  his 
rifle,  and  gave  a  yell  that  awoke  the  others.  At  the  same 
moment  Albert  sprang  behind  the  tree  the  crack  of  a  rifle 
•was  heard,  and  the  savage,  bounding  from  the  earth,  with 
a  yell,  fell  back  into  the  fire  The  others,  suddenly 
aroused  from  their  sleep,  for  an  instant  stood  bewildered. 
That  mrment  was  fatal  to  another;  for  the  report  or  a 
second  rifle  rung  out.  and  the  bullet,  true  to  the  uner 
ring  eye  that  guided  it,  laid  another  dead  in  his  tracks. 
The  two  temaining  savages  were  undecided  no  longer, 
with  yells  of  dismay  them  bounded  into  the  hazel  thicket, 
and  fled  as  fast  as  fear  and  their  legs  could  carry  them. 

As  the  last  one  disappeared  a  heavy  hand  was  placed 
on  thp  shoulder  of  Albert,  and  the  words,  "Your'e  saved, 
lad,"  sounded  joyfully  in  his  ear. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

The  Lost  One  Lost. 

"My  old  and  tried  friend  Lewis  Wetzel,  God  bless 
you!"  -was  the  feeling  reply  of  Albert,  as  he  beheld,  by 
the  light  cf  the  fire,  the  coarse,  sunburnt  features  of  the 
old  hunter,  turned  sympathetically  upon  him.  "God  bless 
you!"  he  repeated,  as  he  grasped  the  horny  hand  of  the 
other  in  both  his  own,  while  tears  of  joy  flowed  freely 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  111 

down  his  pale  face.  "May  God  desert  me  in  my  hour  of 
need,  if  ever  I  am  so  ungrateful  as  to  forget  this  noble 
act  of  unselfish  generosity. 

"Now  you're  makin'  too  much  on't,"  was  the  char 
acteristic  reply  of  the  gallant  backwoodsman.  "I  don't 
deny  it'  bein'  a  kindly  act  to  set  you  free,  and  meant  as 
such  by  me;  but  1  do  deny,  most  powerful,  that  it  was  a 
unselfish  cne,  as  you  tarm  it;  for  to  kill  them  thar  red 
sons  o'  Satan  has  bin  a  heap  o'  rale,  nateral  fun  to  me,  I 
assure  ye.  on  the  honor  of  a  white  gintleman.  Look 
here!"  and  Wetzel  shewed  eight  fresh  scalps  at  his  belt, 
beside  the  four  taken  from  the  captors  of  Rose. 

"Is  it  possible!"  cried  Albert,  "that  you  alone  have 
killed  all  the  scouts  that  have  been  sent  out  from  this 
party  of  twelve  warriors?" 

•  Ef  you  don't  b'lieve  it,"  replied  the  other,  cooly, 
"jest  ye  take  a  couple  o'  day's  tramp  with  me,  and  I'll 
show  ye  the  bones  of  every  mother's  son  on  'em — that  is, 
ef  they  ever  had  a  mother,  which  I'm  dubious  of — seein' 
as  how  I  think  they  must  be  the  rale  imps  of  Satan,  and 
no  mistake.'1 

"But  how  in  the  name  of  wonder  did  you  accomplish 
this  wonderful  feat?"  I  admit  I  had  some  suspicions 
that  yen  were  about  ,and  would  render  it  difficult  for 
some  of  them  to  find  their  way  back — I  may  say,  I  knew 
by  the  manner  of  the  savages  when  the  first  scout  re 
turned,  that  something  alarming  had  occurred,  though  it 
has  puzzled  me  at  times  since  to  account  for  their  ac 
tions;  but  this  exceeds  the  wildest  fancies  of  romance — 
that  eight  powerful  men  should  be  sent  against  one,  and 
that  one  should  kill  them  all,  and  come  triumphantly  to 
the  camp  of  the  others,  and  there  slay  two  more.  Wetzel, 
you  deserve  to  be  immortalized  for  your  heroism — your 
successful  exploits'" 

"Well,"  answered  the  other  quietly,  "as  to  'mortal- 
izing,  as  you  tarm  it,  1  don't  know  much  about  that;  but 
one  thing  I  do  know,  master  Albert — that  you're  most 


112  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

powerful  mistaken,  when  you  cali  these  here  varmints 
men.  T  know  the  Moravians  preach  up  some  sich  kind  o' 
tarms;  but  ef  ihey  know'd  as  much  about  them  as  I 
do,  they'd  be  -  -  glad  to  quit  it,  T  tell  ye.  Now  they 
ain't  men,  no  more  nor  I  is  a  nigger — and  it  makes  my 
blood  fairly  bile  to  hear  a  white  gintleman  call  'em  so. 
Now  take  that  thar  all  back,  master  Albert,  and  I'll  tell 
my  adventur's  with  the  red  niggers,  right  straight  for- 
ard;  but  ef  you  don't  I'll  jest  let  ye  guess  'em  yourself." 

"Call  them  what  you  please,"  rejoined  the  other. 
"I  merely  used  the  term,  as  the  first  that  suggested  itself. 
I  meant  no  offense,  I  assure  you.  But  before  you  begin, 
a  word  about  Ros.e.  Do  you  know  what  has  become  of 
her?  whether  she  is  living  or  dead?" 

•'I  don't  know  the  first  thing,"  was  the  reply. 

"Alas!"  groaned  Albert,  giving  way  to  a  burst  of 
grief  at  the  thought — "I  fear  I  shall  never  behold  her 
sweet  face  again.  All  are  gone  now,  my  friend — all — 
and  I  am  left  alone  like  a  solitary  tree  when  the  forest 
is  felled  around  it.  Oh,  God!  it  is  terrible!  terrible!  — 
and  you  must  pardon  me,  my  friend,  if  I  forget  my  man 
hood,  and  weep  like  a  child;"  and  covering  his  face 
with  his  hands  he  sank  down  by  the  tree;  and  now, 
that  he  had  no  longer  to  fear  for  himself,  gave  full  vent 
to  the  griefs  of  his  overcharged  heart. 

Wetzel  gazed  silently  upon  him;  and  could  his  face 
— which  was  now  shaded  from  the  light  of  the  fire,  by 
the  huge  sycamore  behind  which  he  stood — have  been 
seen,  it  would  have  been  perceived  that  the  hard  muscles 
of  his  features  were  relaxed  to  a  softened  expression,  and 
that  a  manly  tear  of  sympathy  dimmed  his  eye.  For 
some  time  he  did  not  speak;  but,  ae  we  have  said,  gazed 
silently  upon  the  other,  who  seemed  like  one  heart-bro 
ken.  Then  he  roused  himself,  and  drawing  his  hard  and 
bloody  haad  across  his  eyes,  said,  in  a  tone  softened  to 
a  degree  unusual  for  him: 

"Come,  come  lad — don't  take  on  so,  don't — it  makes 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  113 

me  feei  womanish  to  see  you — it  does  indeed,  on  the  hon 
or  o'  a  white  gintleman.  The  gal,  I  reckon,  's  a  captive; 
for  ef  they  didn't  kill  ye,  I  don't  see  no  reason  why  they 
should  her;  and  its  may  be  we  can  trail  her  out  again, 
and  fotch  her  off  alive." 

At  these  words,  Albert  looked  up;  and  rising,  he  took 
the  hand  of  "VVetzel  and  pressed  it  warmly. 

"God  bless  you!"  he  said — "for  giving  me  the  only 
consolation  I  have  felt  since  my  own  capture.  Oh!  if  we 
could  only  rescue  her,  my  friend!  But  I  fear  you  create 
a  hope  that  can  never  be  realized — for  one  of  the  sav 
ages  informed  me  that  Rose  is  dead.  Do  you  really  think 
she  is  living,  Wetzel  and  that,  there  is  any  possible 
chance  of  finding  her?  Speak,  my  friend! — oh!  speak, 
and  do  not  deceive  me! —  for  hopes  once  raised  again, 
and  followed  by  a  heart-sickening  disappointment, 
would  be  more  than  I  could  bear  and  live." 

"Wall,  in  course  I  can't  say  for  sartin  that  the  gal's 
alive."  answered  the  other;  'but  I  can  say  I  believe  it; 
though  whether  we  11  ever  find  her  agin's  another  ques 
tion." 

"You  think,  then,  there  is  no  prospect  of  that?" 
cried  Albert,  in  great  agitation. 

"I  don't  say  thar's  no  prospect — only  it's  powerful 
onsartin.  In  course  ef  she's  alive,  she'll  hev  reached  the 
Injen  village  rf  her  captors  afore  we  could  ketch  her; 
and  besides,  this  here  rain  has  spiled  the  trail,  and  no 
mistake — so  thar'll  be  no  sign  to  go  by.  Still  ef  we 
could  find  out  which  tribe's  got  her,  it's  maybe  we 
mought  sneak  around  and  fotch  her  off — tho'  I'll  hev  to 
allow  thar's  a  heap  chances  agin  it  whar  thar's  one  for 
it." 

"I  see.  I  see!"  groaned  Albert.  "She  is  lost  to  me 
forever.  Ch!  God,  help  me!  I  am  utterly  miserable, 
and  my  life  \?  valueless  now." 

"What!  talking  that  way  agin,  arter  all  that  the 
varmints  have  done  to  make  you  a  inemy!  Hain't  you  no 


114  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

desire  to  git  revinge?" 

"Right  Wctzel!"  cried  the  other,  seizing  the  hand 
of  the  hunter,  with  a  nervous  grasp,  while  a  wild  light 
gleamed  from  his  blue  eye.  "Right,  my  friend!  You 
remind  me  that  I  have  something  to  live  for.  Henceforth 
all  pity  shall  be  banished  from  my  heart;  and  I  will  have 
such  dark  revenge  on  the  accursed  race  of  Indians,  that 
the  story  of  my  wrongs  and  vengeance  shall  live  in  tra 
dition  on  the  borders,  when  all  that  is  of  me  is  dust. 
To  this  i  swear  by  ail  my  hopes  of  peace  hereafter." 

"Now  I  know  ye  for  one  in  whom  I  can  put  confi 
dence."  returned  Wetzel  exultingly,  "and  I  swear  to 
stand  by  ve,  and  see  ye  through,  as  long  as  this  here 
right  arm's  got  strength  to  skin  a  nigger." 

"Are  not  those  Indians  Wyandotts?"  asked  Albert, 
as  one  suddenly  struck  with  a  new  thought. 

"Why,  it's  powerful  hard  tellin'  what  they  is,"  an 
swered  the  other.  "Some  on  "em  I  reckon,  is  Wyandotts, 
and  some  on  'em  Shawnees;  and  the  rest  on  'em  is  a 
mixed  set.  as  don't  belong  nowhar  in  pertikelar,  and  to 
nobody  but  themselves,  the  cusses.  But  why  do  ye  ask?" 
"Why,  the  thought  occurred  to  me,  that  if  we  could 
find  out  to  what  tribe  they  belonged,  we  might  look  there 
to  find  Rose,  in  case  she  is  now  a  prisoner." 

"Tt  don't  foller,  no  it  don't,  that  she'd  be  held  by  any 
pertikelar  tribe  in  this  case;  but  most  like  that  some  red 
son  o'  Satan  'ud  claim  her  for  his  squaw,  and  take  her 
home  to  whar-somever  he  belonged. 

"But  you  saw  that  all  were  painted  and  dressed 
much  alike — whic.h  would  seem  to  imply,  that  if  of  dif 
ferent  tribes,  they  were  all  leagued,  and  fighting  for 
one  common  purpose." 

"For  that  thar  matter,  thar's  a  league  amongst  all 
the  In.iens  at  this  time,  to  kill  all  the  whites  they  can. 
and  help  one  another  to  cl'ar  the  gineral  foo — so  that 
don't  prove  nothin'.  But  howsomever,  as  these  here 
hoathen,  in  nateral  reason,  fitted  themselves  for  the  war- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  115 

path  at  thp  Wyandott  town,  it's  nateral  them  as  took  off 
Rose  should  go  back  thar,  and  thar'll  be  the  place  to 
look  for  her — though  mind,  now,  I  tell  ye,  that  ef  she's 
thar,  it  11  be  next  thing  to  impossible  to  diskiver  it — and 
a  parfect  miracle  to  git  her  away — for  thar's  more'n  five 
hundred  van-tors  in  the  tribe." 

"Only  piove  to  me  she  is  there,  and  I  will  either  set 
her  frcp.  alone  and  unaided,  or  die  in  the  attempt,"  re 
joined  Albert,  with  a  lover's  air  of  determination. 

"Well.  I  see  you're  gittin'  foolish  agin,"  said  Wet- 
zel  ic  reply;  "and  I'm  powerful  sorry  to  see  it;  case  it 
argefies  that  you're  losin'  your  sinses.  You  mought  die 
in  the  attempt,  that's  sartain;  but  as  to  gittin'  the  gal 
away  without  at  least  a  hundred  followers,  you  mought 
jest  as  well  think  o'  carryin'  off  the  Ohio  on  your  back. 
It's  a  dead  onpossibility,  and  don't  allow  no  reasoniii1 
whatscmever." 

'"What  then  is  to  be  done?"  cried  the  other  in  des- 
spair. 

'Why,  ef  it'll  make  ye  feel  any  better  satisfied,  we'll 
scout  up  that  way  together,  and  see  what  we  can  see, 
and  lain  what  we  can  larn.  And  ef  anything  favors  us, 
we'li  act  accordin'  to  sarcumstances." 

"\our  hand  on  it."  rejoined  Albert,  "for  in  spite  of 
all  your  discouragements  you  give  me  new  hope.  You 
are  equal  to  a  host  yourself,  Wevzel,  as  your  success  in 
killing  ten  savages  alone,  and  liberating  me,  amply 
proves." 

"Why,  I've  done  somethin'  in  the  way  o'  thinnin' 
the  red  varmints,  T  don't  deny;  but  I'd  hate  to  hev  you 
count  too  much  on  me,  for  fear  I  mought  fail.  "I'll  do 
all  I  can,  though,  1  pledge  you  the  honor  o'  a  white  gin- 
tlemar. — though  I'll  hev  to  allow  I've  had  oncommon 
luck  for  the  last  few  days." 

"But  I  interrupted  your  story,"  replied  Albert. 
"Pray  tell  me  how  you  accomplished  the  marvelous  feat 
of  killing  ruch  a  party  of  warriors,  and  coming  off 


llfi  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

«catch  less??— for  you  do  not  show  a  wound." 

Tho  other  now  laughed  heartily,  in  his  quiet  way, 
at  the  recollection;  and  then  made  reply: 

'Why,  I'll  tell  ye 

"Yet    stay,"    interrupted    the    other — "are    we    not 
in  danger  here  from  the  two  savages  that  have  escaped 

"Not   a   bit   on't,"   answered   Wetzel,    confidently — 
"not  a  bit  on't;"  and  again  he  indulged  in  another  pe 
culiar  laugh — '  You  may  depind  or.'t,  them  thar  imps  o' 
Satan  ?s  making  tracks  home'ard  just  as  fast  as  their 
greasy  leg*  can  curry  'um — for  I  knowed  by  their  hollar 
they  were  frightened  a'most  to  death.     I've  watched  'ein 
a  good  denl,  and  know'd  they  was  most  powerful  skeered 
aforphand — for   the   thick  heads  coudn't  give   a   reason 
why  their  painted  comrades  didn't  come  back  to  tell  'um 
the  news  oonsarnin'  the  single  trsil  o'  a  white  gintleman 
that  the  first  one  diskivered.     They  thought  it  was  the 
devil,    or   some   other    travlin'    spirit;    and    all    thunder 
coudn't  make  'em  b'leive  it  was  only  a  human,  o,rter  all. 
They'll  hev  s  powerful  story  to  tell  thar  relations,  when 
tiiey  git  back  home,  ef  they  ever  do,  you  may   depind 
on  that.     Howsomover,  I'm  alays  for  keepin'  on  the  safe 
side,  when  thar's  nothin'  lost  by  it;  and  so  it'll  be  best, 
.  I  reckon,  to  keep  in  the  shadder  here  till  mornin',  for 
fear  the  scamps  mought  possibly  prowl  around  and  draw 
a  bead  on  us  onawares.     And  now  I'll  tell  ye  my  story; 
though  I  must  say  aforehand,  thar's  nothin'  wonderful 
in  it  at  yil;  it's  only  natur'  acted  right  straight  up  to 
natur." 

"Soon  arter  I  left  you,  to  go  in  search  o'  a  deer,  I 
got  or  the  trail  o'  one  o'  the  critters,  and  I  follered  it 
for  moie'n  a  mi'.e;  when  all  at  once  it  came  boundin' 
by  mo,  and  broke  full  tear  in  your  direction.  I  could 
hev  shot  it.  jest,  as  easy  as  to  let  it  alone;  but  thinks  I, 
deers  don't  run  for  nothin'  right  past  a  white  gintleman 
as  is  death  on  sightin';  and  so  I  held  up  to  see  what 
mought  be  the  matter — For  fear  o'  accidents,  I  took  to 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  117 

the  1rink  right  sudden;  and  arter  I'd  got  hid  perfectly, 
]  waited,  with  both  eyes  skinned,  to  see  what  'ud  come 
on't.  Arter  a  while,  I  seed  a  streaked  savage  travelin' 
right  fast  arter  the  deer;  and  puttin*  killnigger  up  to  my 
face,  I  was  jtst  on  the  pint  o'  axin'  him  to  stop  and  leave 
me  his  scc-lp,  when  I  seed  another  pop  out  '  the  woods, 
and  T  held  back.  Jest  about  this  time,  I  heard  the  crack 
o'  your  rifle,  and  I  knowed  ayther  a  Injuen  or  a  deer  war 
dead  meat,  for  sartin;  and  I  was  powerful  skeered  on 
your  account  and  the  gal's.  But  I  know'd  it  was  too  ]ate 
for  me  t.o  do  anything  now,  only  watch  the  inemy;  for  the 
Inien  cusses  had  heerd  the  gun,  and  was  doin'  some  tall 
walkin'  in  that  direction.  Howsomever,  I'd  no  notion  o' 
de^-artin'  ye;  and  so  I  followed  the  stream  up,  takin' 
.car'  not  to  git  exposed.  I  heerd  the  gal  scream,  but 
warn't  nenr  enough  to  see  what  was  happenin'.  I  had 
to  be  very  pertikolar  noAv;  and  it  took  me  a  good  bit 
afore  I  got  up  agin  the  camp;  and  then  naythei  white 
gintlernan  nor  red  nigger  was  about.  I  didn't  like  to 
look  too  car'ful,  jest  then;  and  I  went  on  above,  and 
when  I  got  to  a  place  as  suited  me,  I  jest  sot  down  and 
waited.  I  could  jest  diskiver  the  wharabouts  of  the 
camp  f  -on:  v, har  1  was,  and  kept  my  eyes  fixed  on't; 
for  I  know'd  somothin'  about  Injen  strategy,  and  I 
'spe<  ted  as  how  some  on  'em  'ud  wait  thar  for  me;  but 
I  thought  to  myself,  ef  they  did,  they  wouldn't  turn  out 
to  be  .s-y  powerfxil  smart  as  they  thought  they  was. 

"Well,  I'd  bin  thar  an  hour  or  two,  I  reckon,  when 
I  seed  one  o'  the  red  cusses  poke  up  his  head  to  look  at 
somethin';  and  it  tickled  me  most  powerful  at  the  idee 
that  he  was  lookin'  for  me,  and  I  all  the  time  watchin* 
him.  Well,  down  went  his  head,  and  another  powerful 
long  spell  took  place,  when  some  half  a  dozen  o'  the 
varmints  crawled  out  o'  thar  hidin'  place  and  went  down 
to  the  crook.  Thinks  I,  that  thar  means  somethin',  and  I 
alters  my  s'tiv/ation  and  got  a  peep  o'  the  other  cusses, 
what  had  you  in  tow.  'Ah,  ha,'  says  I'  'now  I  wouldn't 


llg  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

wonder  if  thar  mought  be  a  heep  o'fun  afore  the  hull! 
thing's  settled;'  and  so  I  held  on  till  I  seed  every  devil  on 
'em  startin'  up  stream;  and  then  I  jest  kept  out  o'  thar 
sight,  and  paddled  my  trotters  a  few,  you  better  b'lieve; 
through  I  took  powerful  pains  not  to  rile  the  water,  by 
keeping  along  on  the  stones. 

"Arter  I  got  1'ur  enough,  I  took  to  the  bank;  but  left 
a  bir  trail  that  I  kuow'd  the  varmints  couldn't  help  seein'; 
and  then  I  broke  and  run  for  more'n  a  mile;  and  then  got 
all  ready  for  fun — for  I  know'd  I'd  be  foliowered  right 
sudden. 

"Well,  'bout  an  hour  or  two  arter,  I  seed  two  011  'em 
making  right  straight  for  me;  but  bein's  how  I  didn't 
want  to  fire  in  hearin*  of  t'others,  I  put  out  ag'in,  with 
out  tbar  seein'  me;  but  I  left  a  right  smart  chance  o' 
trail  behind,  T  tell  ye.  I  kept  out  o'  thar  way  for  an 
other  mile  when  I  turned,  and  let  the  for'ard  one  hev  old 
Kilnigger's  breakfast  right  plum  in  his  gizzard.  He 
doubled  up  as  ef  he'd  got  the  bellyache,  you  better 
b'lieve;  and  then  he  sot  down  and  took  a  qulo.t  die  on't, 
all  to  himself;  v  hile  the  other  scamp,  thinkin'  he'd  got 
me  sure,  put  on  arter,  with  a  most  powerful  yell.  Well, 
I  jest  led  him  a  thunderin'  chase,  for  it  tickled  me  to  see 
him  pant,  and  look  fierce  as  a  painter  as  is  jest  agoin'  to- 
bite.  Well,  arter  I'd  got  Killnigger  loaded  again,  and 
thought  as  how  I'd  fooled  him  about  long  enough,  1  up 
and  gin  him  a  hyster  as  sent  him  to  kingdom-come  afore- 
he  know'd  what  ailed  him. 

"Arter  this,  I  didn't  see  no  more  savages  that  day: 
though  I  did  find  the  tracks  o'  one  cuss  as  had  been 
sneakin'  'round;  but  they  led  straight  off  agin;  and  I 
know'd  by  that,  as  how  he'd  gone  on  to  tell  the  t'others 
he'd  bin  a  disappointed  nigger.  Well,  I'd  follered  back- 
'ard  on  the  tracks  o'  them  I  killed,  and  tuk  thar  scalps; 
and  then  I  kept  on  tc  tuther  trail,  and  sot  out  to  come  up 
behind  your  party;  but  night  comin'  on,  I  dim  a  tree,  and 
slept  in  one  o'  its  crotches  till  mornin'. 

"But  what's  the  use  o'givin'  ye  all  the  pertikelars?' 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  119 

"I've  said  enough  to  let  ye  into  the  secret  o'  how  I  done  the 
business  for  'em.  I  jest  kept  sneakin'  round,  and  when 

one  o'  the scouts  would  try     to  f oiler  me,  I'd  lead 

him  a  good  chase,  and  then  shoot  and  scalp  him- -and  so 
I  done  with  all  on  'em.  The  last  one  I  killed  jest  afore 
to-n'ght;  and  thinkin'  as  how  I  mought  liberate  you,  I 
took  his  rifle  and  powder  fixins,  and  fotched  'em  along; 
and  that's  ho*v,  you  see,  I  had  two  blazes  at  the  niggers 
here  D'ye  understand  now?" 

"I  see,"  said  Albert,  "your  narration  makes  the  mat 
ter  appear  very  simple." 

"I  told  ye  so — T  told  ye  so,"  returned  the  other.  "I 
told  ye  thor  \\arn't  nothin'  wonderful  in  it." 

"The  mo?t  wonderful  part,"  rejoined  Albert,  "is, 
that  you  can  run  as  fast  as  an  Indian,  and  load  while 
running." 

"Al!  practioe;  lad — all  practice.  I  larned  to  do  that, 
by  a  heap  o'  tiyin'  when  I  was  a  boy;  and  I've  found  it 
the  best  way.  as  ever  was  invented,  to  kill  the  red  imps 
o'  Satan,  without  bein'  in  much  danger  yourself.  You 
must  larn  to  do  it,  Master  Albert — you  must  larn  to  do 
it;  and  then  we  together'd  be  wuth  a  rigiment  o'  green 
"hands,  in  gatnerin'  scalps." 

That  the  reader  may  be  fully  assured  we  have  not 
In  the  least  exaggerated  the  feats  of  this  wonderful  liunt- 
•  er.  we  annex  a  paragraph  from  the  Historical  Collections 
of  Ohio,  by  T-ienry  Howe — a  work,  by  the  way,  that  we 
cannot  too  highly  recommend  to  the  .perusal  of  such  as 
delight  ~n  the  border  legends  of  the  early  pioneers  of 
the  West : 

"A  short  time  after  Crawford's  defeat  in  1  782,  Lewis 
Wotzel  accompanied  Thomas  Mills,  a  soldier  in  that  ac 
tion,  to  obtain  his  horse,  which  he  had  left  near  the  site 
•of  St.  Clairsville.  They  were  met  by  a  party  of  about 
forty  Indians,  at  the  Indian  Springs,  two  miles  from  St. 
ClairsviJle,  on  the  road  to  Wheeling.  Both  parties  dis 
covered  each  other  at  the  same  moment;  when  Lewis  in 
stantly  fired  and  killed  an  Indian;  while  the  Indians 


120  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

wounded  his  companion  in  the  heel,  overtook  and  killed 
him.  Four  Indians  pursued  Wetzel.  About  half  a  mile 
beyond,  one  of  the  Indians,  having  got  in  the  pursuit 
within 'a  few  stops,  Wetzel  wheeled  and  shot  him.  and 
then  continued  the  retreat.  In  less  than  a  mile  further, 
a  second  one  came  so  close  to  him  that,  as  he  turned  to 
lire,  he  caught,  the  muzzle  of  his  gun,  when,  after  a  se 
vere  struggle,  Wetzel  brought  it  to  his  chest,  and  dis 
charging  it  his  opponent  fell  dead.  Wetzel  still  con 
tinued  on  his  course,  pursued  by  the  two  Indians.  All 
three  were  pretty  well  fatigued,  and  often  stopoed  and 
treed.  After  going  something  more  than  a  mile,  Wetzel, 
took  advantage  of  an  open  ground,  over  which  the  In 
dians  were  passing,  and  stopped  suddenly  to  shoot  the 
foremost,  who  thereupon  sprang  behind  a  small  sapling. 
Wetael  fired,  and  wounded  him  mortally  .  The  remain 
ing  Inlian  then  gave  a  little  yell,  exclaiming,  'No  catch 
that  man — gun  always  loaded.'  " 

Albert  and  his  companion  passed  the  night  in  con 
versation  near  the  camp  of  the  enemy,  neither  venturing 
within  the  firelight,  lest  their  foes  might  be  watching 
them,  who  would  thus  have  them  at  a  fatal  advantage, 
it  was;  agreed,  that  as  soon  as  daylight  should  enable  them 
to  leave  the  place  with  safety,  that  both  should  set  off  in 
the  direction  of  the  camp  where  Rose  had  been  recaptur 
ed;  and  il  it  were  possible  to  find  the  trail,  after  so 
much  rain,  that  they  should  fall  on  it,  and  endeavor  to 
learn  her  fate — neither  having  any  hope,  now,  that  they 
could  render  her  any  assistance. 

Accordingly,  as  soon  as  it  was  light  enough  to  see 
distinctly,  Wetzel  took  the  trail  of  the  living  savages,  and 
followed  it  for  some  half  a  mile;  when  becoming  satis 
fied  that  they  had  made  good  their  retreat,  without  at 
tempting  a  circuit  to  examine  into  the  numbers  of  their 
foe,  he  returned  to  the  camp,  and  forthwith  proceeded  to 
scalp  the  dead  Indians.  This  done,  our  two  adventurers 
made  a  breakfast  on  some  jerked  venison  which  they 
found  on  the  persons  of  the  dead  savages — Albert,  by 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  121 

this  time,  having  totally  lost  the  qualmishness  for  Indian 
food  incident  upon  a  first  adventure.  He  then  selected 
a  rifle  to  suit  him,  took  what  powder  and  ball  he  could 
find,  and,  in  company  with  his  gallant  friend,  set  off  for 
Will's  Creek,  the  scene  of  many  pleasant  and  painful  rec 
ollections. 

On  this  adventure  it  is  not  the  design  of  our  story 
to  follow  their  progress  in  detail  Suffice  it  to  say,  that 
a  two  days'  march  brought  them  in  safety  to  the  place 
they  sought;  but  no  trace  of  Hose,  or  her  captors,  or  mur 
derers,  whioh  ever  they  were,  could  be  found — the  rain, 
as  Wetzel  had  conjectured,  having  completely  obliterat 
ed  their  foot-prints.  Two  skeletons  were  seen  on  the 
ground,  their  bones  already  bleaching  in  the  open  air. 
They  were  the  only  remains  ot  the  renegade  and  the 
Indian,  who  had  justly  fallen  by  the  hands  of  the  aveng 
ers  of  their  victims.  Wild  beasts  had  torn  from  them  all 
that  was  eatable,  and  their  bones  were  thus  left  to 
crumole  to  dust  with  the  dissolving  powers  of  time. 

As  the  eye  of  Albert  fell  upon  them,  and  the  re 
membrance  of  all  his  sufferings,  of  which  they  were  the 
main  authors,  came  UD  vividly  before  him,  it  was  with 
stern  satisfaction  that,  with  the  recollection,  he  could 
couple  the  death  of  one  at  least  by  his  own  hand.  But 
he  soon  felt  that,  though  vengenance  might  have  full 
sway,  it  could  not  restore  those  who  were  gone — could 
not  fill  the  aching  void  now  left  in  his  heart — and  he 
turned  away  in  anguish  of  spirit,  and  almost  wished  he 
could  change  places  with  the  dead.  His  eye  fell  upon  the 
stake  where  poor  little  Rose  had  been  confined;  and 
sinking  dowr  upon  the  spot  be  gave  way  to  his  feelings 
in  a  series  of  heart-breaking  sobs  and  groans. 

"Oh!  Rose,''  he  said,  "my  poor  little  Forest  Rose! 
could  I  find  and  restore  thee  to  liberty  and  happiness 
how  Ireely  would  I  lay  down  my  life  for  the  boon!  Alas! 
it  cannot  be.  Thou  are  gone — gone  forever  from  him 
who  loves  thee!' 

Then,  after  giving  vent  to  his  feeling  for  a     few 


122  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

minutes,  lie  raised  his  head,     and  saw  the  old  hunter 

standing  near,  silently  gazing  upon  him,  with  a  look  of 

compassion. 

'^Alas!  my  friend,"  he  added,  slowly  rising  to  his 
feet,  and  grasp'ng  the  hand  of  the  other;  "alas!  my 
friend,  nothing  is  left  me  now  but  vengeance  upon  the 
foes  of  my  race — and  that  I  must  have.  Away  with  all 
feelings  of  pity! — henceforth  my  heart  shall  be  steeled 
against  the  weak  emotion.  Wetzel,  I  am  thine,  to  war 
against  the  savages  till  death.  1  have  now  no  home,  no 
kindred,  and  none  to  love  or  care  for  me/'  His  voice 
faltered  at  the;  recollection,  and  tears  dimmed  his  eyes; 
but  nastily  brushing  them  away,  he  added:  "But  I  will 
be  v,  eak  no  longer,  and  you  shall  see,  my  frieud  what  a 
desperate  man  can  dare  to  do!  Yet  stay  one  moment;" 
and  bounding  away  to  the  little  knoll  where  he  had  last 
seen  Rose,  he  made  an  eager  search,  in  the  hope  of  find 
ing  some  traces  of  her  he  loved.  Put  he  was  again  dis 
appointed;  and  kneeling  upon  the  earth,  he  silently  com 
mended  her  to  the  care  of  Him  who  notes  even  the  fall 
of  a  sparrow:  and  then  rejoining  his  companion. 
"Come,"  he  said,  "lead  on!  for  I  would  quit  this  spot  for 
ever  " 

"Foller  me,  and  you  shall  hev  revenge  to  your 
heart's  satisfaction,"  returned  Wetzel;  and  he  struck  off 
through  the  forest,  bending  his  steps  westward,  in  the 
supposed  direction  taken  by  the  savages. 

"For  a  few  minutes  a  person  stationed  on  the  little 
hillock  could  have  kept  the  forms  of  both  in  view;  and 
then  they  were  lost  in  the  deep  forest,  which  stretched 
away  in  an  almost  unbroken  chain  for  hundreds  of  miles, 
even  to  the  mighty  prairies  of  the  then  unexplored  far 
West. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

A  Frontier  Station. 

The  reader  must  now  suppose  some  eighteen  months 
to  have  elapsed  since  the  opening  of  our  story.  During 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  123 

this  period  bat  little  change  had  been  effected  in  that 
section  of  territory  which  had  been  the  theatre  of  the 
•events  of  the  preceeding  chapters.  It  is  true  that  there 
had  been  a  strong  influx  of  settlers  from  the  towns  and 
villages  further  East;  bxit,  owing  to  the  daring  hostility 
of  the  Indians,  most  of  these  new  comers  had  repaired  to 
the  strongholds  of  the  frontiers,  so  that  though  the  body 
of  whites  had  materially  increased  in  numbers,  there  was 
far  less  change  in  the  face  of  the  country  than  might 
naturally  be  supposed.  Frequent  depredations  of  the 
savages  had  taught  the  whites  the  necessity  of  keeping  as 
muc'i  together  as  possible;  and.  consequently,  though 
the  regularly  established  military  posts  and  settlements 
were  being  every  day  rendered  more  secure  by  a  rapid 
enlargement  of  population,  and  though  the  deep  forest 
surrounding  them  were  gradually  made  to  retreat  and 
-show  the  open  lands  of  civilization,  yet,  in  the  main,  as 
we  have  said,  the  face  of  the  country  was  not  materially 
altered,  and  the  red  man  still  had  an  almost  boundless 
range  of  cover  under  which  to  carry  on  his  barbarous 
warfare  Nor  had  he  been  idle.  Almost  every  day 
'brought  intelligence  to  the  fortified  posts  of  the  butch 
ery  of  this  and  that  family,  who  had  recklessly  ventured 
•to  locate  themselves  in  some  unguarded  place,  where  the 
necessary  succor  could  not  reach  them  in  the  hour  of 
"danger. 

Since  the  overwhelming  defeat  of  St.  Glair,  of  which 
slight  mention  has  already  been  made  in  the  opening 
pages  of  this  true  history,  no  grand  military  action  of 
the  whites  had  been  gained  to  restore  confidence  to  the 
latter,  and  destroy  that  of  the  Indians,  in  the  ultimate 
-success  of  Iheir  own  resources.  It  is  true  that  General 


124  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

Wayne,  the  brave  and  successful  warrior  against  the 
Indians,  was  2ollecting  his  forces  in  the  Northwest,  pre 
paratory  to  that  signal  victory,  which  was  destined  to. 
crush  the  ferocity  of  the  savages,  and  lead  to  the  cele 
brated  treaty,  which  afterward  left  the  frontiers  many 
years  of  peace.  But  that  decisive  blow  had  not  yet  been 
s-truck;  and  the  Indians,  in  consequence,  had  every  lea- 
son  to  suppose  themselves  invincible,  and  that  they 
might  yet  succeed  in  driving  the  white  man  forever  from 
their  bunting  grounds  and  homes. 

Rumors  now  reached  a  station  situated  just  above 
the  mouth  of  the  Hock-hocking  river,  on  the  northern 
bank  of  the  Ohio,  at  a  place  since  geographically  known 
as  Belpre.  that  the  Wyandotts — a  fierce  blood-thirsty, 
11  nd  implacaHe  enemy — were  preparing  to  make  a  for 
midable  descent  upon  the  frontier  inhabitants;  and  much 
alarm  was  the  consequence.  In  order  to  be  fully  pre 
pared  for  the  meditated  attack,  it  became  absolutely 
necessary  to  know  the  number  and  design  of  the  foe; 
and  this  could  only  be  definitely  ascertained  by  some 
person  or  persons  secretly  venturing  into  the  enemy's 
country,  making  an  accurate  observation,  and  returning 
with  the  all-important  information. 

But  who  would  go?  was  a  question  much  easier 
asked  than  answered;  for  it  was  well  known  to  be  an  ad 
venture  of  most  imminent  danger;  and  the  chances  were 
ten  to  one  that  whoever  set  out  upon  that  hazardous  ex 
ploit  would  never  return  to  tell  the  tale.  All  were  brave, 
and  all  were  ready  to  risk  their  lives  in  defense  of  their 
homes,  their  wives,  or  sweethearts — their  mothers,  sis 
ters,  or  child r-m—  but  there  was  something  terrible  in  the 
thought  of  thus  venturing  through  the  wilds  of  the  forest 
into  the  very  village  of  their  worst  foe,  and  offering 
:heir  lives  an  almost  certain  sacrifice  to  their  temerity, 
and  dying  unknown  and  alone,  with  no  friends  by  to- 
see  them  fall  heroically,  or  avenge  their  deaths,  when 
their  spirits  should  have  ceased  longer  to  act  in  concert 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  125 

with  their  mortal  tenements.  Each  turned  inquiringly 
to  his  neighbor;  but  there  were  none  among  all  that 
brave  band  of  borderers  who  cared  to  volunteer  his  own 
person  on  a  mission  so  perilous. 

While  this  matter  was  under  discussion  by  the  gar 
rison  of  the  station  referred  to,  a  couple  of  scouts  or 
hunters  \vere  discovered  by  one  of  the  sentinels  slowly 
approaching  the  fortress.  As  from  this  intrepid  class  of 
heroes  most  of  the  intelligence  regarding  Indian  mas 
sacres  and  the  actual  condition  of  the  frontiers  was  at 
that  early  day  gained  by  those  who  kept  within  the  walls 
of  a  fortified  place,  the  two  newcomers  were  watched 
with  eager  curiosity;  and  ere  they  entered  the  gates, 
which  were  at  once  thrown  open  to  receive  them,  many 
speculations  were  rife  as  to  who  they  were,  and  the  im 
portance  of  the  information  they  would  bring  to  their 
more  secluded  white  brethren. 

As  they  entered  through  the  gate  of  the  palisades, 
and  passed  into  the  area  of  the  station,  a  group  of  both 
sexes,  and  all  ages,  instantly  gathered  around  them;  and 
on  perceiving  ihe  large  number  of  scalps  that  hung  at  the 
belt  of  one  a  simultaneous  shout  of  joy  gave  them  a  tri 
umphant  w-'li^ome,  as  the  inlrepid  and  successful  foes  of 
that  race  which  was  alike  hated  and  feared  by  all. 

The  elder  of  the  two — for  they  were  far  from  being 
mated  in  years,  if  they  were  in  heroism  and  otherwise — 
was  a  tall,  ungainly  formed  man,  with  coarse  but  strik 
ing  features,  whose  age  might  be  set  down  as  somewhere 
between  thirty-fivr^  and  forty.  There  was  little  prepos 
sessing  in  his  countenance — though  there  was  an  occa 
sional  expression  of  humor  and  good  nature,  in  stiong 
r-ontrast  with  a  reckless  hardihood  and  ferocity.  His  eye, 
too,  which  was  capable  of  a  sinister  and  malignant  ex 
pression,  now  turned  kindly  upon  the  group  that  sur 
rounded  him,  as  though  he  saw  about  him  only  friends, 
with  whom  he  had  no  disposition  to  quarrel.  His  should 
ers  were  broad  and  stooping,  and  indicated  great  muscu 
lar  strength:  but  conbined  with  his  long,  rather  slender 


m  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

legs  gave  him  an  uncomely  and  rather  awkward  appear 
ance  Still  his  step  was  quick  and  light,  as  one  who  had 
long  been  accustomed  to  the  woods,  and  to  following  the 
trail  of  a  sharp  hearing,  wily  foe.  Long  exposure  to  all 
kinds  of  weather,  and  constant  sleeping  in  the  open  air, 
had  given  him  a  dark.sun-burnt  complexion,  but  little 
removed  from  the  swarthy  Indian,  when  seen  without  his 
paint.  In  fact,  one  unaccustomed  to  seeing  the  rude 
scouts  or  hunters  of  the  frontiers  might  readily  have  mis 
taken  him  for  a  native  of  the  soil,  so  great  was  the  differ 
ence  between  his  appearance  and  those  of  his  own  race 
who  had  been  nightly  housed  within  the  protecting  walls 
of  a  fortress;  ami  which  difference  was  as  much  the  re 
sult  of  his  singular  dress  and  habits  as  the  constant  ex 
posure  already  noted. 

And  of  a  truth,  if  one  were  to  judge  from  his  habili 
ments,  it  would  be  hard  to  decide     whether  he  claimed 
origin  with  the  red  man  or  white,  so  singular  was  the 
mixture,  partaking  equally  of  both  races.     An  old  hunt 
ing-frock  of  coarse  cloth — so  old  that  it  was  completely 
threadbare,  and  had  in  several  places  been  patched  with 
untanned  skins — covered   his  shoulders,  breast,  and     a 
portion  of  his     arms;  but  the  skirts  being     wanting,  a 
panther -skin,     with   hair     outside,   had     been   fastened 
around  his  waist  with  a  wampum  belt  of  ingenius  work 
manship,  and  hung  down  nearly  to.  his  knees — the  lower 
edge  fringed  or  tasseled  with  short  strings     of  different 
colored  beads.     It  is  sufficient  to  explain     this  curious 
mixture   of   costuni.es,  to  state  that  the  coat  had  at  first 
been  the  legitimate  property  of  the  wearer,  but  having 
become  old  and  torn,  the  panther-skin  and  wampum  belt 
had  been  stripped  from  the  body  of  a  chief,  that  his  own 
hand  had  slain,  and  put  on  as  a  substitute  to  the  missing 
skirts;  and  the  other  parts  had  been  patched  with  that 
kind  of  stuff  that  comes  most  readily  to  the  hands  of  a 
woodman.     It  will  be  only  necessary  to  add  that  the  rest 
of  his  person  was  covered     with  coarse  leggins,  mocca 
sins,  and  a  wild-cat  cap.     To  this  shoulders  was  strapped 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  127 

a  bundle  of  furs,  the  result  of  some  industry  in  trapping, 
and  which  might  readily  explain  his  visit  to  the  fort — it 
being  customary  for  the  hunters  and  trappers  to  ex- 
ohange  their  gatherings  in  the  wilderness  for  powder, 
lead,  tobacco,  and  whatever  other  staple  commodities 
they  might  desire.  In  his  hand  he  carried  a  long  beau 
tiful  rifle,  and  in  his  belt  the  usual  accompaniments  of 
a  borderer — a  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife. 

The  companion  of  this  true  specimen  of  frontier 
production,  materially  differed  from  him  in  personal  ap 
pearance  He  was  a  young  man,  apparently  some  three 
and  twenty,  or  four  and  twenty  years  of  age;  and 
though  not  so  tall  as  the  other  by  a  couple  of  inches, 
was  far  more  comely  in  his  formation.  In  fact,  he  was 
symmetrical  to  a  high  degree  of  manly  beauty,  with, 
uthe.  well-rounded  limbs,  full  of  muscular  power  and 
i-ctivity,  a  broad,  deep  chest,  and  a  carriage  erect,  com 
manding  and  noble,  fivery  movement  was  one  of  natur 
al  ease  and  grace  that  would  have  made  a  study  for  an 
artist.  His  face,  like  his  figure,  was  comely,  and  one, 
too,  that  was  remarkably  prepossessing.  The  counten 
ance  was  open,  frank,  intelligent  to  a  high  degree,  and 
noble  in  its  expression;  but  there  was  a  serious  stern 
ness  about  the  lines  of  his  mouth,  combined  with  a  deep- 
seated  melancholy — more  apparent  in  the  mild,  calm 
blue  eye  than  elsewhere — which  was  peculiarly  calcu 
lated  to  repel  any  undue  attempt  at  familiarity,  and  gain 
:or  the  Indiviaual  himself  the  sympathy  and  respect  of 
all  who  chanced  to  meet  him.  His  skin  was  bronzed  by 
exposure,  and  his  costume,  like  the  other's,  was  a  mix- 
of  the  tv-'O  race?;  yet  none  could  mistake  him  for  other 
than  he  was — a  high-souled,  well-born,  well-bred  vounf 
man  of  the  pale-faces — who,  if  he  were  a  hunter  of  men, 
was  rather  so  frcm  powerful  circumstances  than  from 
any  natural  inclination  he  might  have  for  so  bloody  a 
calling.  To  his  shoulders  there  was  also  strapped  a 
bundle  of  rurs,  in  his  hand  was  a  rifle,  in  his  belt  the 
usual  weapons — but  dangling  therefrom  was  not  a  sin- 


)g£  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

gle  one  of  those  barbarous  trophies  which  his  companion 
carried,  and  which  had  excited  such  a  universal  shout  of 
admiration.  Tn  fact,  the  young  man  seemed  to  dislike 
this  boisterous  display  of  the  morbid  passions;  for  he  in 
stantly  drew  back,  and  passing  through  the  crowd  re 
spectfully  made  way  for  him,  he  approached  the  palis 
ades,  and  leaned  against  them,  in  a  mood  of  melancholy 
abstraction,  leaving  his  elder  companion  to  amuse  the 
inmates  of  the  station,  and  explain  the  object  of  their 
own  unexpected  visit. 

"Well,  what  news?"  cried  one  of  the  garrison,  ad 
dressing  the  old  hunter,  as  soon  as  the  first  boisterous 
welcome  had  died  away.  "Now  I  jest  know  you  can  tell 
us  about  the  Tnjens,  for  anybody,  with  half  an  eye,  can 
see  as  how  you  carry  the  Injen  documents;"  and  he 
pointed  to  the  dangling  scalps  while  the  crowd  gave  an 
other  shout  of  delight. 

"Well,  yes,"  replied  the  other,  complacently,  raising 
the  scalps  with  his  hand  for  examination,  much  as  a  suc 
cessful  angler  would  a  string  of  fish;  "I've  bin  near 
enough  to  some  on  'em  to  let  Killnigger  ax  'em  to  stop 
till  I  could  feel  o'  thar  top-knots." 

'Bravo!  bravo! — good! — good! — hurrah  for  the 
hunter?"  were  the  several  exclamations  of  approval  from 
different  members  of  the  group. 

But  then  they  ain't  all  mine,"  continued  the  other, 
glancing  his  eye  toward  his  young  companion,  who  was 
now  being  joined  by  some  of  the  older  and  more  sedate 
inmates  of  the  station.  "For  a  young  man,  I  must  say 
.  that  my  friond  is  powerful  a  heap  among  the  iaemy — 
though  he's  got  some  queer  notions  o'  his'n  about  scalpin' 
the  red  nisgers  that  I  can't  break  him  on,  no  how.  "He'll 
frill  a  varmit  without  blinkin';  but — a  bit  will  he  take  a 
top-knot  for  his  trouble;  and  so  I've  saved  up  his'n  and 
mine  together  " 

This  pla.'n  and  simple  statement  of  facts  created 
quite  a  sensation  among  the  persons  that  hoard  them — 
very  few  of  whom  could  comprehend  the  refined  nature 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  129 

of  one  hold  enough  to  hunt  Indians,  and  kill  them,  and 
yet  not  take  the  scalp  as  a  trophy  of  victory — a  matter 
of  as  common  occurrence  among  the  whites  at  that  day 
as  among  the  Indians  themselves.  Many  an  eye  turned 
curiously  toward  the  young  hero;  and  more  than  one  left 
the  group  around  the  old  hunter  to  go  and  join  that  al 
ready  forming  around  the  other,  in  order  to  satisfy,  by 
closer  inspection,  the  curiosity  he  had  thus  unconscious 
ly  excited. 

7f  it  be  a  proper  question,  stranger/'  said  a  middle- 
aged  man  to  the  old  hunter,  "I'd  like  to  ask  who  you  and 
this  young  friend  of  yours  are!  as  both  your  faces  are 
new  1o  us." 

""Well,  F  hain't  no  objections  to  tell,"  was  the  reply; 
"for  I  don't  b'lieve  neyther  on  us  hev  done  anything  he 
oughter  be  ashamed  on.  That  thar  young  man  is  called 
Albert  May  wood.  His  daddy,  Cap'en  May  wood,  fit  in  the 
revolution;  and  arter  the  war  was  over,  he  fotehed  his 
family  out  here  front  Varginia,  and  settled  on  a  little 
creek  as  runs  into  the  Captina,  what  runs  into  the  Ohio  a 
good  piece  above  here.  Well,  the  cap'en  wan't  a  irood 
under  slander  (>'  Injen  doin's,  and  he  didn't  take  no  pains 
to  keep  his  s<  alp  whar  it  oughter  be,  and  so  one  day, 
bout  a  year'n  half  ago,  he  lost  it,  and  his  wife  and  three 
children  along  with  it.  Out  o'  the  hull  family  o'  six,  only 
Albert  and  a  young  gal,  as  be  was  agoin'  to  marry,  'scap 
ed  bein'  killed.  H<-  was  out  in  the  woods  when  it  hap 
pened,  ajid  the  gal  was  taken  captive  I  know'd  him 
afore  this,  as  a  powerful  smart  hunter  o'  animals,  and  we 
happened  to  come  together  in  the  woods,  and  I  \vent 
iiome  with  him.  whar  we  seed  sights,  you  may  depin! 
Well,  we  followed  the  gal,  killed  all  o'her  captors,  and 
got  nor  cl'ar,  as  we  reckoned,  o'  the  cusses'  clutches;  but 
she  got  took  agin',  and  that's  all  we  ever  know'd  about 
her.  Albert  pot  took,  too;  but  I  managed  to  get.  him 
ol'ar;  and  we  vent  off  together,  tw'arin'  vengeance  on 
overy  red  nigger  we  mought  see;  and  we  hain't  broke  the 
contract  more'n  a  few,  anc1  that  happened  when  we  got 


13o  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

in  tight  places.  We've  tiainped  a  heap  since  then,  and 
bin  right  through  the  Injen  country,  cl'ar  to  the  lakes, 
and  done  some  little  service  in  the  scout  line  for  old 
Oineral  Wayne,  who's  one  o'  the  tallest  Injen  fighters 
I  ever  sot  oyes  on." 

"And  the  gal  you've  never  found?"  rejoined  one. 
"Never  hev  seed  a  sight  on  her,  nor  heerd  a  word 
consarnin*  her,  though  we've  hunted  her  high  and  low, 
in  every  possible  and  onpossible  place.  Ah,  me!'"  sighed 
zhe  old  hunter,  "I'd  give  five  years  o'  my  life  jest  to  find 
her;  and  a'most  all  on  Albert's  account;  for  he  takes  It 
powerful  hard.  He  don't  never  say  nothin'  much;  but 
then  he  thinks  all  the  time,  and  groans  in  his  sleep,  and 
don't  never  smile  like  he  used  to  do.  Poor  feller!  I 
wouldn't  wonder  ef  it  'ud  be  the  death  o'  him  ylt;  for  it 
'pears  to  me  that  he  gits  more  melancholler  every  day." 
As  Wetzel  said  this,  nearly  every  eye  involuntarily 
turned  in  the  direction  of  Albert;  and  many  a  sigh  of 
sympathy  escaped  the  group,  particularly  from  the 
younger  and  female  portion  of  it,  who  could  the  more 
readily  appreciate  his  loss,  and  his  consequent  feelings. 
In  their  eyes  he  was  already  an  object  of  unusual  inter 
est — a  hero  exalted  to  the  highest  standard  01  natural 
romance 

"Rumors  have  reached  us,"  pursued  the  middle-aged 
gentleman,  who  was  none  other  than  Colonel  Martin,  the 
commander  of  the  garrison;  '  Rumors  have  reached  us 
here  that  the  Wyandottes  are  preparing  to  make  a  de 
scent  upon  the  frontier  posts;  have  you  any  news  to 
confirm  the  report?" 

Well,  T  don't  knovv's  I've  got  anything  pertikelar  on 
the  subject;  though  I  can't  say  I  see  anthing  again  it, 
for  they're  a  powerful  savage  set  o'  varmints,  and  ain't  a 
bit  too  good  to  do  whatsomever  most  mean.  It  was 
them  as  killed  Albert's  family;  and  some  on  'em  had  a 
finger  in  gittin'  his  gal  away  again,  or  I  don't  know 
nothin'  'bout  paint." 

"Do  you  know  where  their  villages  are  located?" 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  131 

"Keckon  I  does,  for  we've  scouted  all  round  them, 
In  the  hope  o'  findin'  the  gal." 

'You  must,  be  an  old  hand  at  the  business,  if  we 
may  judge  from  the  fact  that  you  can  venture  so  near  the 
most  wary  and  bloodthirsty  foes  we  have,  and  yet  come 
off  scathless  and  undiscovered." 

"Why,"  replied  the  other  indifferently,  "it's  bin  a 
good  many  years  sence  1  first  sot  out  on  the  red  var 
mints'  trail,  I'll  allow;  and  I'd  be  mighty  weak  o'  under- 
standin',  not  to  hev  larn't  nothin'  sence  'bout  how  to 
manage  the  red  cusses," 

"But  you  have  not  told  us  your  name.  We  perhaps 
know  you  by  report,  if  not  personally." 

"Well's  1  said  afore,  ef  you  want  my  name,  y»>ti  can 
hev  it.  I'm  rolled  Lewis  Wetzel." 

"Lewis  Wetzei!"  exclaimed  a  dozen  voires  in  sur 
prise. 

"The  renowned  scout!"  added  one. 

"The  celebrated  Indian  hunter!"  cried  another. 

"The  man  as  the  varmints  can't  never  catch !r'  put 
in  a  third. 

"You  see  we  know  you  now,"  put  in  the  colonel, 
grasping  the  hunter's  hand.  "Your  fame  has  gone  be 
fore  you." 

"Three  cheers  for  the  brave  and  gallant  Lewis  Wet 
zel!"  said  another  at  the  top  of  his  voice;  and  immed 
iately  the  welkin  rarg  with  the  united  shouts  of  all  who 
heard  him;  while  those  who  had  withdrawn  from  the 
grouri,  on  hearing  the  name,  returned  to  take  another 
view  of  one  so  renowned  in  border  history. 

Wetfeel  was  completely  taken  aback  with  this  vocif 
erous  greeting.  He  looked  abashed  and  discomfited.  His 
dark,  sun-burnt  features  flushed  a  deep  red,  as  if  all  his 
blood  had  ru?hecl  to  his  face;  while  his  eye  wandered 
around  the  crowd,  as  if  seeking  a  way  to  escape  from  so 
uncomfortable  a  situation.  But  finding  himself  com 
pletely  nemmed  in,  and  every  eye  fixed  upon  him,  he 
said,  as  if  with  a  desperate  attempt  at  articulation: 


132  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

"My  friends,  I  s'pose  I'm  to  consider  all  you've  said 
as  meanin'  complimentary,  and  so  I'll  put  up  with  it  for 
onc't:  but  I  gin  ye  the  honor  o'  a  white  gintleman  I'd 
rayther  hev  a  hull  yellin'  tribe  o'  the  cussed  red-nigger 
Wyandottes  arter  me,  nor  stand  sich  another  white 
whoop  on  account  of  my  own  doin's.  I'll  fight  Injens 
with  the  nest  feller  amongst  ye,  but  I  can't  btand  to  be 
made  a  show  on." 

A  simultaneous  burst  of  applause  greeted  this  an 
nouncement;  and  not  exactly  understanding  what  was 
meant,  the  dark  eye  of  Wetzel  kindled  ferociously,  and 
his  hand  involuntarily  clutched  the  handle  of  his  toma 
hawk.  Instantly  the  crowd  drew  back  in  alarm;  and  the 
old  hunter  was  on  the  point  of  making  for  the  gate,  re 
solved  on  instant  departure,  when  the  colonel  touched 
him  on  the  shoulder,  and  instantly  bade  the  crowd  dis 
perse. 

Come  my  worthy  friend.''  he  pursued,  addre&sing 
Wetzel;  "you  should  not  take  offense  when  none  is 
meant.  These  people  have  so  often  heard  of  your  daring 
exploits  among  the  Indians,  that,  on  learning  who  you  are, 
they  could  not  refrain  from  giving  vent  to  thsir  delight. 
Of  course  they  did  not  understand  your  sensitive  modesty, 
or  they  would  not  have  done  it." 

Tnis  explanation  served  tc  appease  the  irritated 
feelings  of  the  simple  minded,  mcdest  backwoodsman; 
and  now  that  he  found  himself  alone  with  the  other,  and 
ro  longer  the  lion — or  show,  as  he  termed  it — of  an  ex- 
:-ited  crowd,  all  traces  of  anger  vanished,  and  he  freely 
answered  all  questions  asked  him,  and  gave  his  own 
views  regarding  what  he  thought  would  most  likely  be 
the  first  movements  of  the  savages.  "If  we  could  only 
be  certain  of  their  designs,"  replied  the  other,  "we  could 
then,  in  a  measure,  be  prepared  for  them;  but  there  is 
no  way  of  ascertaining  what,  they  intend,  but  by  sending 
spies  to  the  villages.'' 

"Well,  then,  and  why  don't  ye  do  that?"  inquired 
the  old  hunter. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  133 

"For  the  simple  reason  that  we  can  find  no  one  will 
ing  to  venture  on  so  hazardous  an  expedition." 

"Why,  i'ts  nothin'  more'n  what  I've  did  more'n  onc't, 
and  I  didn't  think  it  no  great  matter  arter  all,  replied 
Wetzel,  with  some  surprise. 

"But  all  are  not  like  you,  my  worthy  friend,  or 
there  would  soon  be  many  famous  names  upon  the  bor 
ders." 

"Well  if  it's  o'  any  perticklar  account  to  you,  I'd 
jest  as  lie?  do  it:  agin  as  not,"  replied  the  old  hunter,  ia 
his  simple,  straight-forward  manner. 

"It  would  be  an  act  we  should  ever  hold  in  grate 
ful  remembrance,"  cried  the  other  joyfully;  "and  what 
ever  price  you  may  demand  for  your  services,  I  will  ob 
ligate  myself  1o  see  paid." 

•'T  ain't  a  goin'  for  hire,"  rejoined  Wetzel;  "for 
when  some  V3r  I  can  sarcumvent  the  red-skins,  I  'speet  it 
does  me  jost  about  as  much  good  as  it  does  anybody  else. 
All  I  want  is  plenty  o'  ammunition,  jerked  venison,  and 
corn  bread,  and  if  I  don't  have  a  heap  o'  fun  afore  I  git 
back,  why  then  there  arn't  no  ?uakes,  that's  all.  But  I 
must  hev  Master  Albert  go  along,  sure;  for  me  and  him 
understand  \vorkin'  together  in  the  same  team  to  perfec 
tion.  I've  trained  him  till  he  can  pop  into  an  Injen  right 
center,  and  then  load  his  piece  while  runnin';  though  I'll 
have  to  allow  he  can't  do  it  quite  so  parfect  as  I  can,  nor 
more'n  half  as  fast;  but  yet  he  can  do  it,  an'  that'"  some- 
thin'  to  brag  on.  Come,  I  see  as  how  he's  alone  agin,  and 
so  let's  jine  him  and  talk  the  matter  over." 

The  two  speakers  approached  Albert,  who  probably 
owing-  to  his  disinclination  to  talk  and  answer  the  thous 
and  curious  questions  of  those  who  pressed  around,  was 
now  again  left  to  himself;  and  Wetzel  immediately  open 
ed  the  conversation,  comine  at  once  to  the  matter  under 
d'scussion.  The  other  then  joined  in,  stated  to  Albert 
the  fears  of  the  inhabitants  regarding  an  Indian  invas 
ion,  and  the  necessity  there  was  for  having  correct  in 
formation  on  the  subject;  and  after  describing  what  he 


134  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

Conceived  to  be  the  manifold  dangers  that  would  attend 
such  as  might  be  brave  enough  to  venture  into  the  Indian 
country.,  to  act  as  spies,  he  concluded  by  saying: 

•But  dangerous  as  it  is.  your  gallant  friend  here 
has  volunteered  to  go,  but  cannot  bear  the  thought  of 
parting  company  with  you.  I  dc  not  ask  you  to  join  him, 
for  well  I  know  the  perils  of  the  undertaking;  but  if  you 
do  join  him  I  <:an  assure  you,  sir,  you  will  have  the 
prayers  of  a  whole  community  tor  your  safe  return,  and 
will  deserve  their  lasting  gratitude;  for  success  in  the 
enterprise  may  not  only  confer  a  benefit  on  the  present 
generation,  but  on  those  who  shall  follow.  Weigh  well 
ih.e  matter  ere  you  decide  " 

Albert  heard  him  through  calmly,  without  inter 
ruption,  and  without  even  a  change  in  the  expression  ot 
his  countenance.  When  he  had  done,  he  answered  with 
out  hesitation: 

"Sir,  [  consider  my  life  in  'the  hands  of  God,  and  I 
am  willing  to  use  it  in  any  way  to  the  benefit  of  my 
countrymen.  1  have  no  home,  nc  kindred,  and  none  of 
those  ties  to  bind  me  to  earth  which  others  have.  1  am 
free,  and  willing  to  serve  you  in  any  proper  manner;  and 
if  I  cz.n  renrlor  m>  services  of  value  to  any  of  my  own 
race,  by  saving  them  from  the  horrors  of  Indian  butch 
ery,  believe  me,  the  satisfaction  of  having  done  so,  will 
be  sufficient  reward  for  all  the  perils  and  fatigues  [ 
may  undergo.  Wherever  my  friend  here  leads,  I  will 
follow. 

As  ho  said  this,  Albert  saur.tered  slowly  away,  his 
mild  blue  eyes  fixed,  with  a  gaze  of  deep  melancholy,  up 
on  the  ground  ;and  selecting  a  spot  as  far  trom  every 
one  as  possible,  he  sat  down  upon  a  rude  bench,  and 
resting  his  elbows  upon  his  knees,  bowed  his  head  upon 
his  hands,  and  gave  way  to  reflections  on  the  sad  and 
evertfnl  past,  arid  on  the  the  gloomy  and  uncertain  fu 
ture. 

There  was  one  thing  wanting  to  cheer  his  drooping 
spirits;  but  alas!  that  one  thing  might  be  wanting  for- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  135 

ever.  Poor  Forest  Rose,  the  only  being  he  ever  truly 
loved,  or  ever  could  love,  was  dead  to  him.— ay,  worse 
than  dead — for  over  her  fate  there  hung  a  vail  of  mys 
tery,  m-ire  terrible  to  a  lover's  thoughts  ihan  death, 
a  hundred  fold. 

As  the  young  man  moved  away,  Colonel  Martin 
said  audiblv,  '.'Noble  fellow;"  and  was  about  to  follow 
him.  when  \Vetzel  touched  him  on  the  shoulder,  and 
shaking  his  head  significantly,  observed: 

It  won't  do;  he  wants  to  be  alone  a 'spell.  He's 
often  that  way  sence  he's  given  up  all  hope  o'  ever  finilin* 
his  gal,  poor  feller'  But  see  here!  I've  forgot  all  about 
trad  In'  off  these  here  furs;"  and  Wetzel  unsluii;^  the 
pack  from  his  shoulders,  and  proceeded  to  display  its 
contents  to  the  colonel,  with  all  the  eager  intci-cit  a 
peddlar  would  have  in  showing  his  wares  preparatory  to 
a  sale  of  great  importance. 

It  is  enough  to  say  that  the  furs  were  purchased  at 
five  times  their  value;  the  colonel  taking  this  mode 
to  force  upon  the  other  many  an  article  of  more  or  less 
importance,  that  he  would  certainly  have  refused  had  it 
come  to  him  in  the  shape  of  a  gift.  Among  other  things, 
before  quitting  the  fort  on  their  perilous  enterprise, 
both  Lewis  and  Albert  were  fitted  to  an  entire  new  hunt 
ing  su't  in  the  fashion  of  the  day,  which  altered  their 
appearance  much  for  the  better. 

On  learning  that  these  two  hunters  had  noblv  vol 
unteered  to  go  an  a  mission  of  so  much  danger  to  them 
selves,  and  importance  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  frontier 
— and  in  which  they  alone  could  have  no  interest,  aside1 
from  doing  a  noble  and  courageous  act — an  undertaking 
withal,  from  which  even  the  boldest  among  themselves 
had  shrunk  with  something  akin  to  fear— the  most  en 
thusiastic  feeling  of  respect  and  admiration  prevailed 
among  both  sexes  of  the  garrison;  and  it  was  only  with 
the  greatest  exercise  of  his  authority  and  influence,  that 
Col  Martin  could  suppress  those  uproarious  manifesta 
tions  of  the  popular  feeling,  which  he  knew  would  be  so 


136  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

offensive  to  his  sensitive  guests. 

Albert  and  his  companion  remained  at  the  fort  over 
night,  and  on  the  following  morning  took  their  depar 
ture,  amid  unrestrained  cheers,  and  the  roar  of  musket 
ry,  fired  by  the  garrison  in  honor  of  their  patriotic  brav 
ery.  When  oar  scouts  reached  the  last  point  from  which 
their  forms  could  be  visible  to  the  friends  who  were 
watching  their  departure,  they  turned  and  discharged 
their  rifles  in  the  air;  and  ere  the  answering  shout  had 
died  away  in  echo,  they  were  lost  to  view  in  the  depths 
of  the  great  forest. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  Standing  Stone. 

Tt  was  on  one  of  the  balmiest  days  of  the  Indian 
summer  of  the  autumn  of  the  year  succeeding  the  open 
ing  of  our  story,  that  two  hunters,  well  equipped — with 
rifles,  tomahawks,  knives,  knapsacks,  etc.— turned  aside 
from  the  waters  of  the  Hockhocking,  at  a  point  far  up 
toward  its  source,  and  entered  a  dense  thicket  of  hazel 
and  plum  bushes,  which  covered  the  angle  of  a  prairie 
between  them  and  an  isolated,  picturesque  hill,  toward 
which  their  steps  were  directed.  Both  moved  with  great 
caution;  for  well  they  knew  themselves  to  be  in  the  very 
heart  of  the  ?ountry  of  a  dangerous  foe.  Neither  spoke; 
but  carefully  parting  the  bushes  with  their  hands,  they 
glided  stealthily  forward,  occasionally  halting  to  listen 
if  thev  could  delect  any  sounds  betokening  danger.  A  dis 
tance  of  some  three  hundred  yards  from  where  they  en 
tered  the  thicket,  brought  them  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  al 
ready  mentioned ;  and  emerging  from  the  cover  of  the 
plain,  they  began  their  ascent  of  its  eastern  declivity. 

This  hill,  being  rather  singular  in  its  appearance  and 
formation,  deserves  a  passing  notice.  It  is  the  belief  of 
some  geologists,  that  the  precise  section  of  country  to 
which  we  are  now  directing  the  reader's  attention,  was 
at  one  period  of  the  earth's  history,  the  bed  of  an  ocean, 
or  sea,  or  lake:  and  that  among  others,  the  eminence  in 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  137 

question  rose  above  the  waters,  forming  an  island.  Be 
this  as  it  may,  it  certainly  presents  an  appearance  cal 
culated  to  give  more  or  less  rise  to  speculation.  Detach 
ed  from  all  other  hills,  it  stands  isolated,  on  what  was, 
at  the  period  of  which  we  write,  the  borders  of  a  large 
and  beautiful  prairie,  which  stretched  away  before  it  for 
many  and  many  a  mile,  covered  with  a  soft,  luxuriant 
greensward,  and  variegated  with  thousands  of  beautiful 
flowers.  At  a  short  distance,  this  elevation  resembles  a, 
pyramid — its  bass  being  some  mile  and  a  half  in  circum 
ference,  and  its  highest  point,  or  apex,  not  more  than  a 
hundred  yards  in  length,  by  thirty  in  breadth  Its  north 
ern,  southern,  and  eastern  sides  are  full  of  deep  gullies 
or  ravines,  and  slope  off  gradually  from  the  apex  to  Ihe 
base;  but  its  western  side  rises  some  two  hundred  feet, 
almost  abruptly  above  the  plain,  presenting  a  mural 
surface  of  sandstone  rocks,  some  of  which  stand  perpen 
dicular,  like  nuge  columns  of  ancient  cities,  and  others 
rest  horizontally  on  their  summits,  leaving  deep  fissures 
or  cavities  ir  every  direction. 

Once  you  reach  the  summit  of  these  rocks,  which 
have  very  properly  been  termed  the  backbone  of  the 
mount,  and  you  have  a  commanding  view  of  the  plain 
below;  but  their  summit  can  be  gained  only  in  one  di 
rection,  and  that  over  a  space  so  narrow  that  two  per 
sons  can  not  go  abreast.  From  its  peculiar  formation 
and  appearance,  the  Indians,  in  their  simple  minded  and 
accurate  manner  of  bestowing  names,  called  this  emi 
nence  the  Standing  Stone — an  appellation  which  the 
reader  will  readily  perceive  carries  with  it  a  forcible  idea 
of  its  general  aspect.  The  whites,  discarding  the  Indian 
name,  have  termed  it  Mount  Pleasant;  both  appelations 
have  a  significant  meaning,  and  together  illustrate  the 
different  manner  with  which  It  has  been  regarded  by  the 
two  races  at  different  periods — the  one  naming  it  sole 
ly  with  the  idea  of  describing  the  hill  itself — the  other 
with  the  idea  of  describing  the  pleasure  derived  from  the 
view  afforded  from  its  summit  at  the  present  day. 


13s  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

Great  changes  have  taken  place  in  the  aspect  of  the 
surrounding  country  since  the  period  of  which  we  are 
writing.  Whoever  stands  there  now,  and  casts  his  eyes 
abroad,  beholds  a  beautiful  plain  stretching  away  before 
him  divided  intu  lots  by  fences,  with  here  and  there  a 
neat  farm  house  dotting  the  level  surface,  till  his  gaze 
rests  upon  a  cluster  of  buildings,  with  numerous  church 
steeples  rising  above  them,  and  the  whole  forming  one 
cf  the  most  delightful  thriving  cities  of  the  inland 
towns  of  the  State  of  Ohio.  But  as  it  is  of  its  early  ap 
pearance,  and  \vhat  took  place  in  its  vicinity,  that  our 
story  has  particularly  to  do,  we  will  return  at  once  to 
the  soouts,  whom  we  left  slowly  and  carefully  ascending 
its  eastern  acclivity. 

For  some  time  nothing  occurred  to  interrupt  their 
progress  or  give  them  any  occasion  for  alarm.  From  its 
base  they  had  gained  a  position  half  way  to  its  summit; 
and,  looking  out  from  among  the  trees  and  undergrowth, 
they  had  a  fine  view  of  the  plain  away  to  the  left,  while 
to  the  right,  the  vision  was  cut  off  by  several  smaller 
hills,  which  each  being  detached  as  it  were  from  the  oth 
ers,  formed  quite  a  chain  in  that  direction,  the  end  of 
which  they  could  not  see.  They  had  now  come  to  a  point 
where  the  roil  or  seams  of  the  hill  required  them  to  de 
scend  into  a  kind  of  trough,  and  then  ascend  a  steeper 
portion  of  the  mount,  through  a  ravine,  the  sides  or 
hanks  of  which  were  covered  with  a  growth  of  shrubs, 
that,  overhanging  the  center,  interlocked  their  branches, 
and  rendered  the  bed  of  it  so  dark  that  any  one  ascending 
in  it  wculd  be  entirely  concealed  from  the  view  of  any 
one  above,  either  directly  in  front  or  on  either  side. 

Descending  into  this  trough,  and  entering  the  ra 
vine  with  the  same  caution  which  had  thus  far  marked 
all  their  movements,  our  friends  were  :ust  on  the  point 
of  pushing  forward  with  more  celerity  than  usual,  when 
the  foremost  suddenly  came  to  a  halt;  and  raising  his 
hand,  in  token  of  silence  to  his  companion,  he  bent  his 
head  a  little  more  forward  than  nature  or  habit  had 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  139 

placed  it.  and  listened.  The  other  listened  also:  but  al 
though  he  was  what  might  be  considered  quick  of  hear 
ing,  he  by  no  means  possessed  the  faculty  of  distinguish 
ing  sounds  which  somewhat  characterized  his  elder  and 
more  experienced  companion;  and,  after  the  lapse  of 
some  thirty  seconds,  he  raised  his  foot  to  again  move 
forward  believing  there  was  no  cause  for  apprehension 
— when,  quick  as  lightning,  the  other  made  an  admoni 
tory  gesture,  and  said,  in  a  whisper: 

'  Take  car',  Master  Albert — take  car' — thar's  dang 
er  about,  you  may  depind." 

"What  is  it?"  demanded  the  other,  in  the  same  guard 
ed  manner. 

"Don't  know  for  sartin-  -but  it's  my  opine  thar's 
Injuns  up  here.  Now  mind,  it  won't  do  to  fire  on  no  ac 
count.  They're  comin'  this  way,  I  think;  and  ef  they 
pass  on  ayther  side  we'll  hev  to  let  'em  go;  but  ef  they 
come  down  through  this  here  ravine,  we  must  fix  our 
selves  so  as  we  can  let  'em  hev  a  few  inches  o'  cold  steel, 
without  makin'  no  more  noise  nor  possible.  Ef  they 
should  yell,  we'll  hev  the  whole  tribe  at  our  heels,  sar 
tin;  but  we  'nust  do  our  best,  and  run  the  risk.  Seef 
here'i  a  little  op'nin'  in  the  hills,  where  a  rock  has 
rolled  down  into  the  gully.  Before  it  the  bushes  and 
leaves  hang  so  thick  that  the  cusses  mought  go  right 
by,  it's  may  be,  and  not  see  us.  Let's  crawl  in  thar  and 
try  it  anyhow.  Hope  they  won't  find  our  trail,  the  var 
mints,  or  we'll  he  in  a  powerful  ugly  fix,  sartin." 

As  the  old  hunter  said  this  in  an  almost  inaudible 
whisper,  both  he  and  his  companion  moved  cautiously 
forward  to  the  place  designated ;  and  crept  into  the 
cavity  formed  by  the  displacement  of  a  huge  rock  by 
"he  rain.  It  was  large  enough  to  contain  both,  and  allow 
the  thick  bushes  that  grew  above  and  below,  to  be  brought 
together  with  their  hands,  so  as  to  entirely  conceal 
their  persons.  As  soon  as  both  were  fairly  well  settled  in 
cheir  novel  hiding  place,  Albert  turned  to  his  compan 
ion,  and  said  in  a  whisper: 


140  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

"Are  you  sure,  Wetzel,  you  have  cause  for  all  this 
precaution;  for  I  assure  you.  though  I  have  strained  my 
sense  of  hearing  to  the  utmost,  no  sounds  have  reached 
my  ears  that  I  should  ever  take  to  be  those  of  an  enemy." 
"Hist!"  returned  the  other.  "Hark!  what  d'ye 
think  o'  that,  eh"" 

"You  are  right,"  rejoined  Albert,  as,  at  the  moment, 
a  low,  guttura1  sound,  as  of  one  Indian  speaking  to  an 
other,-  reached  his  ears. 

Wetzel  now  made  a  sign  that  it  would  be  imprudent 
to  venture  another  remark,  even  in  a  whisper;  and  con 
sequently  each  remained  silent,  with  the  senses  of  hear 
ing  and  seeing  both  actively  exerted  to  learn  the  progress 
of  events.  Several  times  that  same  low,  guttural  sound 
reached  the  ear?  of  our  friends,  after  short  intervals; 
and  each  time  it  was  more  distinct,  showing  that  the 
.speaker  and  his  companion  were  every  moment  drawing 
nearer  the  ambuscade  of  our  friends. 

Directly  a,  rustling  of  the  bushes  was  heard,  and, 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  ravine,  they  were  seen  to  be 
agitated  near  the  bank.  The  next  moment  they  were 
parted  in  a  careless  manner,  and  the  swarthy  form  and 
hideous  features  of  a  painted  half-naked  savage  were 
partially  discernible  by  our  friends,  who  remained  mute, 
gazing  upon  the  object  of  their  deadly  hate,  scarcely 
daring  to  breathe,  lest  the  slightest  sound  should  betray 
their  presence.  The  wild,  glaring  eyes  of  the  savage 
peered  down  into  the  ravine,  and  then  seemed  to  take  a 
close  survey  of  all  the  hushes  on  the  opposite  side.  What 
object  he  had  in  this  singular  scrutiny  of  such  a  place 
vras  never  known  to  our  friends;  but  as  his  piercing  eyes 
seemed  to  rest  rather  longer  upon  the  very  spot  where 
they  were  concealed  than  elsewhere,  it  will  readily  be 
supposed  that  the  act  caused  them  considerable  un 
easiness;  and  they  were  already  beginning  to  think  their 
v-ourse  hither  had  been  noted,  and  that  this  was  one  of 
the  scouts  sent  out  in  search  of  them — and  each  was  al 
ready  laying  plans  in  his  own  mind  for  immediate  ac- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  141 

uon,  in  the  event  his  suspicions  should  be  verified — 
when  the  savage  gave  the  peculiar  grunt  of  his  race,  and 
turning  about,  said  something  to  his  companion — where 
upon  both  withdrew,  and  continued  slowly  down  the  hill. 

"Well,"  said  Wetzel,  drawing  a  long  breath,  so 
soon  as  he  felt  perfectly  sure  that  the  Indians  were  out 
of  hoarir-g,  'that  thar  beats  all  for  an  accident  I  ever 
seed  since  I  first  put  feet  on  a  Injen  trail.  I  say  for  a 
accident.  Master  Albert,  it  beats  all  I  ever  seed;  and  I 
th^nk  as  how  it  was  an  accident,  or  we'd  a  heerd  from  the 
varmints  atoro  this.  It's  Injen  tc  be  cunnin',  powerful 
cunnin'  I'll  allow,  with  any  man;  but  it  arn't  Injen  to 
diskiver  two  white  gentlemen  like  us,  and  then  jest 
walk  away  without  as  much  as  sayin'  'how  d'ye  do.'  No! 
that  thar  painted  heathen  had  some  idee  in  his  cussed 
head  about  somethin',  or  he  wouldn't  a  come'd  and  look- 
down  into  this  here  holler  that  way,  you  may  depind; 
but  his  fix  in'  his  owlish  eyes  onto  us  was  a  naterai  acci 
dent." 

"It  is  well  we  were  in  here,"  returned  Albert;  "for 
bad  w«  remained  in  the  more  open  part  of  the  ravine,  it 
is  altogether  probable  that  he  would  have  seen  us." 

"That's  jest  what  I  think  myself,"  rejoined  Wetzel; 
''and  altogether  I  look  upon't  as  a  very  providential  af- 
ia'r;  for  ef  we'd  bin  a  little  sooner  in  gettin'  on  to  the 
mountain,  it's  just  as  like  as  not  we'd  bin  diskivered; 
and  then  good-bye  to  all  our  fight;  for  ef  we  waru't  kill 
ed  in  a  scrimmage,  we'd  be  kept  for  roasting',  so  as  the 
cusses  mought  hev  a  powerful  heap  o'  fun  when  we 
started  on  the  last  trail." 

"But  is  there  no  danger  of  these  Indians  now, 
r.hink  you?  May  they  not  stumble  upon  our  trail,  anoi 
return  to  hunt  us?" 

"They  niougbt,  that's  true — but  I  don't  think  as 
how  they  will.  Still  we  must  be  powerful  cautious  what 
we  do  I  can  tell  you,  and  no  mistake.  We're  on  Injen 
ground  now.  and  it  wcn't  do  to  go  asleep  whar  our  snorin' 
mought  disturb  the  natives." 


142  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

Having  delivered  himself  of  this  worthy  piece     of 
advice,  Wetzel  cautiously  crept  out  of  his  hiding  place, 
iollowed  by  Albert;  and  climbing  the  steep  bank  which 
here  rose  several  feet  above  them,  our  friends  quitted  the 
ravine,  and  proceeded  to  ascend  the  hill  on  the  side  op 
posite  to  where     the  Indians  had  descended.     The  way 
was  rough,  and  they  were  often  forced  to  crawl  up  here 
und  there     a  precipitous  rock,  by  taking     hold  of  the 
branches  of  shrubs     that  had   grown  up  through  deep 
fissures,  or    .vhich,  planted   firmly  in  the  earth  above, 
allowed  their  shaggy  limbs  to  extend  down  within  reach. 
The  mountain  on  tnis  side,  as  we  have  said,  was  rolling, 
rr  wave-like;   r-.nd  consequently,  our  friends  had  to  de 
scend  into  a  trough  or  dingle  almost  as  often  as  ascend  a 
point.     Still  the  descent  was  less  than  the  ascent,     and 
therefore  every  new  point  gained  brought  them  nearer 
to  the  crowning  summit     of  the  whole.     Although  they 
moved   slowly  and  cautiously,  examining  the   ground  on 
every  side — often  pausing,  as  was  their  custom,  to  listen, 
and  looking  behind  as  well  as     before — yet,  in  a  little 
over  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after  quitting  the  ravine,  they 
came  to  the  last  elevation,  which  rose  above  them  for 
something  like  a  hundred  feet,  in  the  form  of  a  precipice 
of  standing  pillars  of  stone,  with  huge  masses  resting  on 
the  tops  of  these  in  a  horizontal  position.     Here  and  there 
were  deep  fisures  in  the  sides  of  the  sandstone  rocks — 
but  no  place  where  it  seemed  possible  for  a  human  being 
to  gain  r.he  summit,  except  at  the  extreme  right,  where 
one  could  find     a  hold  for  his  hands  and     feet,  among 
branches'  of  trees,  shrubs,  and  projecting,  jagged  stones. 
"Here's  one  o'  Natur's  forts,"  observed  Wetzel,  still 
speaking  in  a     guarded  whisper,  lest  a  lurking     Indian 
mighl  overhear  the  sound  of  his  voice;   "and  ef  we  can 
onc't  get  on  top,  I  think  as  how  we'll  be  purty  tolerable 
safe  from  the  varmints,  pertikerly  ef  none  on  'em  don't 
know  we're  here.     Ef  I'm  not  mistaken,  that  thar  top 
has  a  view  cf  thar  hull  village,  and  everything  else  as  is 
going'  on  below  us;  and  ef  we  onc't  git  thar  safe,  and  ar- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  143 

terwards  see  any  o'  the  cusges  coming'  up,  we  can  hide 
ourselves  in  holes,  as  old  Satan,  thar  daddy,  couldn't  dis- 
kiver  us  out  on,  onless  he  know'd  where  we  was  afore- 
hand.  But  Piind,  now,  keep  your  mouth  shut,  and  \our 
eyes  and  ears  wide  open — for  we've  got  a  powerful  per- 
ticKelar  business  to  do,  you  may  depind,  on  the  honor  o' 
a  white  gintloman." 

There  seemed  little  need  for  this  caution  concerning 
the  loquacity  of  Albert;  for  of  late  he  rarely  spoke,  un 
less  addressed  by  his  companion,  or  to  make  some  partic 
ular  inquiry,  or  to  counsel  with  the  other  when  danger 
threatened.  On  the  present  occasion  he  made  DO  reply 
in  words,  but  merely  nodded  his  head,  in  token  that  he 
understood  the  old  hunter,  and  then  cautiously  moved 
wway  toward  the  point  where  the  rocks  appeared  easiest 
of  ascent. 

'  You're  right,  lad,  pursued  the  old  woodman,  as 
cautiously  following  him;  "your  right,  lad,  for  it's  doin 
and  not  talkin',  \\e  should  be  arter  now." 

By  dint  of  pulling  hard  upon  the  bushes  above  them, 
planting  their  feet  on  the  jutting  crags  of  the  cliff,  and 
occasionally  crawling  on  their  hands  and  knees,  our  two 
adventurers  gradually  raised  themselves,  till  at  last  they 
stood  upon  the  very  back-bone  of  the  Standing  Stone. 
Then  it  was  a  scene  burst  upon  their  view,  that  we,  in 
our  humble  way,  shall  attempt  to  describe  in  the  follow 
ing  chapter. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

A  Huron  Village  and  Indian  Sports. 
U  hae  alrea.dy  been  said  that  it  was  in  the  autumn 
of  the  year,  that  the  daring  feat  of  proceeding  into  the 
Indian  country  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  savages, 
•was  attempted  by  our  worthy  friends.  The  day  on  which 
they  reached  the  summit  of  the  Standing  Stone,  was  one 
of  the  most  delightful  of  that  charming  season  gen 
erally  known  as  Indian  Summer — though  why  so  called, 
we  confess  our  inability  to  explain.  Some  have  sup- 


!44  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

posed  it  to  he  caused  by  the  burning  of  the  great  prairies, 
to  which  it  is  well  known  the  Indians  of  the  far  West  set 
fire,  the  better  facility  of  getting  at  the  game  concealed 
in  the  dense  cover  of  the  tall,  thick-matted  grass,  and  in 
this  wo,v  they  account  for  the  smoky  veil  that  dims  the 
cerulean  brightness  of  the  heavens.  But  be  this  as  it 
may,  we  leave  the  reader  to  surmise  the  cause  to  please 
hi1,  own  fancy,  while  we  proceed  to  speak  of  the  effect, 
or  describe  the  day  and  the  scene  as  it  fell  upon  the 
vision  and  senses  of  our  hunters. 

The  sun  was  already  in  mid-heaven;  but  its  bright 
ness  was  somewhat  dimmed  by  a  hazy  veil  of  smoke  that 
spread  throughout  the  atmosphere,  softening  the  appear- 
once  of  overy  distant  object,  and  causing  that  delightful, 
dream  sensation,  so  peculiar  at  this  season  of  the  vear. 
The  air  ws  neither  too  warm  nor  too  cold,  but  just  at 
that  invigorating  temperature  to  make  the  blood  course 
evenly  through  one's  veins,  and  cause  a  mood  equally 
well  fitted  for  active  exertion,  or  calm  meditative  con 
templation.  A  light  air  was  stirring  from  the  west — 
it  neither  brought  the  oppressive  sultriness  of  summer, 
nor  seemed  to  come  from  the  cold  region  of  snows  with 
the  chilliness  of  winter.  Not  a  cloud  was  visible  in  the 
heavens,  which  were  unrolled  in  all  their  beauty,  as 
seen  through  the  before  mentioned  smoky  atmosphere.  A 
few  frosts  had  touched  the  green  leaves  of  summer  and 
already  the  foliage  of  the  trees  was  undergoing  that 
beautiful  change  and  variety  of  color  which  precedes 
the  dark  yellow  leaf  of  final  decay.  Wherever  the  for 
est  could  be  seen,  and  away  to  the  north  and  east  it  seem 
ed  boundless,  it  presented  all  the  variegated  hues  of  the 
rainbow — now  green,  now  yellow,  now  white,  now  blue, 
now  dark  brown  and  purple — as  some  spots,  from  the 
growth  being  more  fragile  and  more  exposed,  yielded 
to  tho  first  decay  of  advancing  winter;  while  others,  more 
hardy,  or  less  exposed,  still  retained,  with  the  tenacity 
which  belongs  to  the  things  of  life,  the  almost  unchanged 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  145 

green  hue  of  the  summer,  and  mingled  their  foliage  with 
the  many  colored  flowers  which  ever  grace  the  autumn  of 
the  year.  But  not  upon  the  beauties  of  the  changing 
forest,  out  upon  what  lay  before  them  was  the  gaze  of  our 
spies  directed. 

From  where  they  stood,  concealed  by  a  breastwork 
of  stone,  our  two  gallant  scouts  commanded  one  of  the 
most  extensive  i'.nd  picturesque  views  to  be  seen  at  that 
day  in  any  section  of  the  Great  West.  For  a  hundred 
feet  below  them  was  an  almost  perpendicular  wall  of 
stone,  so  smooth  and  upright  that  none  could  climb  it.  At 
the  base  of  this  wall  or  precipice,  the  ground — covered 
with  trees,  and  a  thicket  of  hazel  and  plum  bushes — 
sloped  off  gradually  to  a  beautiful  plain,  clear  of  any 
obstruction  but  such  as  had  been  placed  upon  it  by  the 
hand  of  man.  On  this  plain,  in  full  view,  and  at  a  dis 
tance  oi:  half  a  mile,  was  the  village  of  the  Wyandotts, 
consisting  of  more  than  a  hundred  wigwams.  The  larger 
portion  of  these  stood  on  the  margin  of  the  prairie  near 
the  Hockhocking,  glimpses  of  which  could  occasionally 
bo  seen  by  cur  scouts  near  the  main  village,  and  the 
whole  course  of  which  could  be  traced  for  a  considerable 
distance  as  it  swept  around  the  town,  by  the  dense  thick 
et  which  trkiged  its  banks  on  either  side. 

The  huts,  or  wigwams,  were  constructed  in  the  most 
simple  manner  possible.  Two  stakes  were  first  driven 
into  the  earth,  each  stake  having  a  crotchet  about  the 
height  of  a  man  above  the  ground.  A  pole  was  next  laid 
hori/ontally  on  these  crotchets,  against  which  sticks  were 
placed  in  a  leaning  posture,  so  that  their  lower  ends 
would  stand  out  far  enough  from  the  line  perpendicular 
to  form  the  breadth  of  the  hut,  and  the  whole,  the  ground 
being  considereJ  the  line  of  the  base,  would  form  a  rude 
triangle.  This  was  the  skeleton  of  the  hut,  and  only  re 
quired  to  be  covered  with  bark,  with  one  end  left  open 
to  be  complete.  No  chimney  was  needed;  for  the  fire 
used  for  cooking  and  warming,  was  kindled  outside,  to 
which  men.  women  and  children  alike  had  access.  If  a 


146  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

door  was  wanting  at  night,  the  skin  of  a  buffalo,  or  some 
other  wild  animal,  was  hung  up  in  front  of  the  lodge; 
and  this  was  all  that  was  necessary — those  primitive  and 
simple-minded  people,  unlike  the  more  civilized  and 
enlightened  Christian  nation  that  now  occupies  what  was 
once  theii  country,  requiring  neither  locks  nor  bars  to 
keep  out.  a  prowling  band  of  thieves  and  midnight  as 
sassins.. 

The  appearance  of  the  village  from,  the  stand  occu 
pied  by  cur  scouts,  was  quite  imposing — not  the  less  so, 
probably,  that  in  its  numerous  inhabitants  they  beheld 
so  many  bloodthirsty,  implacable  foes  of  their  race.  The 
cabin  of  the  chief  was  easily  distinguished  from  the 
others,  both  by  its  size  and  general  appearance  of  super 
iority.  It  stood  near  the  center  of  the  main  village,  (by 
which  we  mean  the  principal  cluster  of  huts — for,  like 
some  of  our  modern  settlements,  there  was  the  town  part 
of  the  town,  vritb  straggling  lodges  reaching  off  in  vari- 
oxis  directions,  some  e\en  extending  along  the  plain  to  the 
hills  on  tbe  north)  and  directly  on  the  bank  of  the  river, 
close  by  a  spring  of  clear,  cold  water,  which  doubtless 
had  exerted  its  silent  influence  on  the  mind  of  the  chief 
at  the  time  of  its  location.  Beyond  the  town,  or  farther 
away  on  the  plain,  were  large  fields  of  golden  corn,  now 
just  in  the  maturity  of  the  harvest;  and  still  beyond,  the 
eye  had  a  long  j^weep,  with  not  even  a  tree  or  a  shrub 
to  obstruct  the  vision,  till  the  brown  or  green  earth  and 
the  blue  sky  blended,  and  the  actual  line  of  the  horizon 
was  lost  to  view. 

Perhaps  a  bird's  eye  view  of  the  whole  landscape 
will  give  the  reader  a  better  general  idea  of  the  spot, 
than  the  imperfect  description  we  have  already  attempt 
ed. 

Imagine,  then,  the  Standing  Stone  to  be  a  mount, 
completely  isolated  from  all  other  hills— though  placed 
contiguous  to  tnem,  on  the  borders  of  a  large,  grassy 
plain — and  that  yju  are  seated  on  its  highest  elevation 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  147 

and  extreme  front.  Behind  you,  to  your  right,  and  to 
your  left,  are  hills  and  an  undulating  country,  covered 
with  a  heavy  forest,  now  displaying  all  the  variegated 
hues  of  autumn.  Before  you,  commencing  at  your  very 
feet,  as  5t  were — is  a  fertile  plain,  stretching  away  as  far 
as  the  eye  can  reach,  covered  with  a  heavy  greensward 
that  ha<*  felt  the  blight  of  one  or  two  frosts,  and  diver 
sified  with  beautiful  wild  flowers  of  the  brightest  and 
most  showy  colors.  Away  to  the  right,  in  front,  runs 
a  narrow  line  of  checkered  thicket,  marking  the  course 
of  the  beautiful  Hockhocking,  beyond  which  your  eye 
again  rests  upon  a  luxuriant  valley,  which  is  soon  shut  in 
by  a  row  of  hills.  Near  this  stream,  but  between  it  and 
you,  you  can  perceive  the  clustering  lodges  of  the  Hu- 
rons,  ranged  along  the  bank  of  the  river,  but  some  of 
them  scattered  along  the  plain,  even  to  the  base  of  the 
hills  to  your  right,  so  as  to  be  lost  to  the  view  from  where 
you  stand.  Dotting  the  plain,  in  yellow  patches,  are 
fields  of  corn,  wherein  squaws  are  already  at  work, 
gathering  the  golden  harvest.  The  village,  containing 
altogether  a  population  of  more  than  five  hundred  souls, 
is  swarming  with  inhabitants.  Warriors,  squaws,  chil 
dren,  and  pappooses,  are  seen  running  lazily  about  among 
the  rude  huts,  or  sauntering  off  toward  the  race-ground, 
which  lies  directly  in  front  of  you,  at  only  a  few  hundred 
yards  distance.  Here  it  is,  after  all,  that  your  gaze  would 
naturally  be  riveted;  and  here  it  was,  our  gallant  spies, 
after  a  cursory  glance  at  what  we  have  described,  fixed 
their  eyes  and  their  whole  attention.  Here  were  the  war 
like  movements  of  the  savages  directly  before  them;  and 
this  v/as,  in  the  main,  the  scene  that  burst  almost  start- 
lingly  upon  their  vision,  of  which  we  promised  the  reader 
an  imperfect  description  at  the  close  of  the  preceding 
chapter. 

On  the  plain  below  them,  at  a  distance  of  less  than 
a  hiindred  and  fifty  yards,  more  than  a  hundred  warriors 
were  assembled,  must  ot  them  painted  in  the  customary 


!48  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

manner  of  the  tribe  when  preparing  to  start  upon  the 
warpath.  Besides  these  regular  warriors— who  were 
nearly  till  young  finely  formed,  athletic  men — there  were 
as  many  more  of  what  might  oe  considered  spectators — 
<ionsiwting  of  old  sachems,  squaws,  children  and  pappooses. 
Of  this  latter  class,  some  wa.*e  very  old  men;  and  these 
were  mostly  seated,  or  squatted,  upon  the  greensward, 
with  pipe?  in  their  mouths,  lazily  puffing  out  the  smoke, 
and  ganntj  indolently  about  them,  with  all  the  imbecil 
ity  of  ngc — their  heads  bared  to  the  sun,  and  their  long 
gray  scalp-locks  hanging  round  their  necks,  or  dangling 
down  their  half-naked  backs,  presenting  a  wild  and  gro 
tesque  arpcarance.  Others  less  aged,  but  not  sufficient 
ly  agilv  to  take  part  in  the  more  active  proceedings,  were 
gtouped  about  in  various  attitudes,  among  children  and 
squaws,  watching,  with  the  melancholy  pleasure  that  age 
looks  upon  youth,  the  war-like  movements  of  the  young 
warrio  rs. 

These  latter  had  apportioned  themselves  a  perfectly 
level  spot  of  ground,  some  fifty  yards  square,  within 
which  to  display  their  skill,  strength  and  activity. 
Around  the  borders  of  this  square  the  spectators  were 
collected — the  same  care  being  taken  to  keep  them  with 
out  the  lines  of  the  arena  as  is  displayed  towards  the 
lookers-on  of  a  military  parade.  The  children,  in  the 
main,  manifested  by  far  the  most  delight  in  what  was 
taking  place  though  all  seemed  to  be  at  the  height  of 
«n}oyraeiit.  They  clapped  thsir  little  hands,  occasion 
ally  laughed  loudly,  and  exhibited  all  the  wayward  and 
innocent  joyousnese  of  childhood,  as  seen  en  a  grand 
gala  day  among  a  more  enlightened,  Christianized,  and 
entirely  different  race  of  beings.  The  squaws,  when  they 
had  leisuic,  looked  on  with  satisfaction  at  the  feats  of 
the  braves — all  of  whom  were  more  or  less  connected 
with  .them  by  the  ties  of  blood — there  being  mothers, 
sisters,  wives  and  sweethearts  among  them.  We  say, 
When  they  had  leisure;  for  it  is  well  known  that  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  149 

squaws  of  the  Indians,  no  matter  of  what  tribe  or  nation, 
do  all  the  manual  labor  and  drudgery;  and  consequently 
these  in  question  were  not  exempted  from  the  common 
requirements.  They  were  continually  being  sent  hither 
and  thither,  to  carry  this  thing  and  bring  that;  and  the 
whole  space  between  the  race-ground,  (as  for  conveni 
ence  we  shall  designate  the  place  of  gathering)  and  the 
village,  was  lined  and  dotted  with  them,  going  and 
coming- — sjererally  on  some  trifling  errand — many  of 
them  with  pappooses,  hardly  a  week  old,  strapped  to  their 
backs  in  the  customary  form. 

At  the  suggestion  of  Colonel  Martin,  Albert  had 
brought  with  him  a  small  sized,  but  remarkably  fine  tel 
escope;  ar-d  by  keeping  this  to  the  eye,  he  could  see  all 
that  was  going  on,  with  the  minuteness  we  have  and 
shall  continue  to  describe  the  proceedings. 

Within  the  arena  already  mentioned,  were  assem 
bled  the  warriors,  drawn  up  with  stately  dignity  on  one 
side  of  the  square,  so  as  to  give  the  spectators  two  sides 
for  observation.  At  the  precise  moment  we  introduce 
them  if  the  reader — or  rather,  bring  our  gallant  spies 
into  a  position  where  they  can  behold  and  watch  them 
narrow'y — they  were  preparing  for  a  trial  of  skill  in 
throwing  the  tamahawk.  At.  the  southern  end  of  the 
square-— or  the  one  opposite  waere  they  stood,  and  which 
in  the  disposition  of  actors  and  spectators,  was  left  va 
cant — a  si.al'e  had  been  driven  into  the  earth,  so  as  to 
stand  about  the  height  of  an  ordinary  man  above  the 
level.  Against  this  stake  was  placed  the  effigy  of  a  man, 
in  such  a  posture  that,  if  struck  violently  in  front,  either 
with  a  tomahawk  or  other  weapon,  it  would  fall  to  the 
giound.  The  effigy  was  of  skins,  stuffed  and  painted  so 
as  to  resemble,  as  much  as  possible,  a  living  man;  and 
when  first  seen  by  our  scouts,  before  the  glass  was 
brought  to  bear  on  it,  it  was  thought  to  be  some  prisoner, 
about  to  undergo  a  violent  death — so  clever  was  the  im 
itation,  viewed  at  a  short  distance.  We  say  the  effigy  was 


15Q  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

stuffed:  but  the  head  was  made  of  a  block  of  wood,  over 
which  a  skin  was  tightly  drawn,  and  rudely  daubed  in 
spots  to  represent  the  eyes,  nose,  and  mouth.  The  design 
in  having  the  head  of  wool  was,  that  the  tomahawk, 
if  it  struck  it  properly,  might  bury  itself  sufficiently  to' 
remain  there  till  drawn  by  force,  and  thus  the  more 
accurately  represent  a  real  human  being;  and  more 
over,  tho  point  of  the  target,  toward  which  the  skill  of 
the  throwei  was  directed,  being  the  forehead,  just  above 
and  between  the  eyes,  the  weapon,  by  remaining  there, 
would  give  the  succeesgful  warrior  a  more  complete  tri- 
uvnph,  than  if  it  bounded  off,  as  it  ever  did  from  other 
parts  of  the  figure.  A  few  feet  beyond  the  target,  a 
broad  breast-work  of  logs,  some  eight  feet  high,  had 
been  erected  to  stop  the  tomahawks  that  might  miss  the' 
human  representative  altogether. 

Everything  being  in  readiness,  a  young  warrior,  one 
of  the  youngest  of  the  party,  stepped  forward  to  within 
about  twenty  paces  of  the  mark,  and  measuring  the  dis- 
tanc°  carefully  with  his  eye,  threw  back  his  right  foot, 
head  and  shoulder,  and  flung  the  weapon  with  all  his 
f^rce.  Whiz  it  went  through  the  air,  and  just  grazing: 
the  right  shoulder  of  the  effigy,  half-buried  itself  in  the 
logs  beyor.d,  A  joyous  shout  from  the  children  greeted 
even  this  indifferent  success;  and  walking  up  to  the  log, 
he  withdrew  his  tomahawk  with  the  air  of  one  who  felt 
a  little  abashed,  and,  returning,  took  his  place  among 
the  group.  Another  now  s-tepped  forward  and  going 
through  the  same  motions,  sent  his  tomahawk  whirling 
through  the  air.  But  he  struck  more  wide  of  the  mark 
than  the  other  and  a  shout  of  merry  laughter  rather 
added  to  his  chagrin,  and,  withdrawing  his  weapon,  he 
s'ilently  took  his  place  in  the  rear  of  his  companion.  A 
•hird,  a  fourth,  a  fifth  now  made  the  trial,  and  still  the 
target  remained  untouched,  if  we  except  the  slight  graze 
of  the  tomahawk  of  the  first  thrower.  The  sixth  one  now 
stepped  forward,  and  with  a  more  experienced  aim,  plant— 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  151 

»ed  a  well-directed  blow  in  abdomen  of  the  effigy,  which 
doubled  forward  and  fell  to  the  ground.  A  loud,  boister 
ous  short  from  the  spectators-:  attested  their  satisfaction 
at  his  signal  triumph  over  all  his  predecessors;  and  as 
the  warrior  replaced  the  target,  and  walked  back  to  his 
companions,  it  was  easy  to  perceive  by  his  gait  and  man 
ner,  that  ho  felt  he  had  performed  a  feat  of  which  he  had 
no  reason  to  be  ashamed. 

More  than  twenty  trials  were  now  made  in  regular 
i  nd  orderly  succession  by  as  many  different  members  of 
.the  band,  and  with  results  similar  to  those  we  have  de- 
«cribod.  The  target  was  knocked  down  some  half  doz- 
<>n  timed — but  always  by  a  chance  blow  on  the  shoulder, 
breast,  abdomen,  or  legs — not  one  as  yei  having  touched 
'he  head 

At  length  a  tall,  noble-looking  warrior  stepped 
prouoly  and  confidently  forward,  and  turned  a  dignified 
look  upoti  the  spectators,  as  if  courting  inspection  of  his 
every  movement.  If  such  was  his  desire,  he  was  fully 
: gratified;  for  every  eye  was  fixed  upon  him  intently, 
and  a  profound  stillness  reigned  throughout  the  as 
semblage.  In  one  portion  of  the  crowd,  to  his  right,  and 
consequently  on  the  side  of  the  arena  farthest  from  our 
<couts,  the  ga/e  of  the  Indian  seemed  to  rest  a  little  long 
er  than  elsewhere;  and  Albert,  who  had  his  glass  to  hib 
<ye,  wat.-.hiiig  closely  every  movement,  now  turned  his 
instrument  in  that  direction,  and  beheld  the  young  and 
rather  comely  face  of  a  maiden,  looking  upon  him  with 
two  black  eyes,  and  giving  him  an  approving  smile.  As 
yet  ho  had  not  been  able  to  get  more  than  a  profile  view 
•of  th»j  features  of  the  warrior;  but  as  the  latter  turned 
Irom  her  who  was  evidently  regarded  in  the  light  of  a 
sweetheart,  hi?;  full  face  was  for  a  moment  brought  in 
the  direction  of  the  Standing  Stone. 

"Good  heavens!"  exclaimed  Albert,  in  a  low,  guard- 
^d  tone,  but  one  full  of  deep  excitement,  dropping  the 
glass  from  his  eye,  and  extending  it  to  his  companion 
•'quick  Wetzel! — take  this,  examine  carefully  the 


152  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

warrior  who  is  about  to  throw,  and  tell  me  if  you  ever 

saw  him  before." 

Wetzel  took  the  telescope  as  directed,  and  adjusted 
it  to  his  eye;  but  he  was  too  late  to  catch  a  full  view  of 
the  other's  feu'.ures,  who  was  already  in  the  act  of  dis 
playing  his  skill  with  the  tomahawk.  The  next  mo 
ment  the  weapon  went  whizzing  through  the  air,  and 
fairly  lodged  '.n  the  head  of  the  image,  which,  in  conse 
quence,  reeled  and  tottered,  like  a  thing  of  life,  and  then 
fell  prostrate  on  the  earth.  A  universal  shout,  such  as 
bad  not  before  been  given,  ascended  from  every  throat 
— actors  as  well  as  spectators — men,  women,  ana  chil 
dren—and  striking  the  mural  surface  of  the  Standing 
Stone,  reboun-led,  echoed  and  re-echoed  among  the  fis 
sures  and  crags  of  neighboring  hills,  till  the  whole  coun 
try  seemed  alive  with  fiends  in  their  unearthly  revels. 
Curiosity  nov  could  brook  no  restraint;  and  the  whole 
crowd  simultaneously  rushed  forward,  to  gaze  in  admir 
ation  up  on  the  successful  hit,  leaving  the  trimphant 
warrior  standing  alone  too  proud  and  dignified  to  show 
any  Childish  anxiety  about  the  result  of  his  own  superior 
skill.  Even  tne  old  men,  before  noticed,  seemed  to  arouse 
Irom  their  lethargy  at  the  ringing  shout;  and  rising  to 
their  feet  with  great  difficulty  tottered  off  to  join  the 
others;  while  several  squaws,  half-way  between  the  race 
gro'iiid  and  village,  hurried  forward  to  learn  the  cause 
of  such  ioyful  excitement. 

The  throw  was  remarkably  clever,  though  by  no 
means  a  perfect  one;  for  instead  of  hitting  the  forehead 
in  the  center,  the  blade  of  the  tomahawk  had  buried  it 
self  in  the  soft  cotton  wood  about  an  inch  too  low,  and 
the  same  distance  too  far  to  the  right,  actually  dividing 
one  of  the  painted  eyes.  Still  it  was  a  feat  to  boast  of; 
for,  -.vheru  there  was  one  that  could  excel  it,  there  were 
a  thousand  that  could  not  equal  it,  take  average  throw 
ing,  and  let.  d -stance  and  all  be  considered. 

Though  left  by  himself,  in  fair  open  sight,  it  was 
some  time  before  Wetzel  could  get  a  good  front  view  of 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  153 

the  successful  warrior's  features.     The  moment  he  did 
so,  he  dropped  the  glass  from  his  eye,  and  exclaimed: 

'That's  one  o'  the  cusses  as  you  had  in  tow  the 
night  I  gin  him  sich  an  orful  skeer,  by  poppin'  over  his 
greasy  comrades,  or  el.se  I've  got  a  powerful  bad  recollec 
tion." 

"I  am  right,  then,  in  my  impression  and  memory," 
returned  Albert.  "It  is  he — one  of  the  two  that  escaped; 
4t  is  Ogwehea,  the  leader  of  the  party  that  captured  me. 
It  was  he,1'  continued  the  other,  in  a  tremulous  voice 
"that  told  me  Forest  Rose,  my  own  dear  little  Forest 
Rose,  was  dead.  Oh,  God!  that  I  could  only  feel  certain 
he  told  me  the  truth! — for,  since  I  cannot  find  her,  it 
would  bo  some  consolation  to  know  she  is  in  heaven,  in 
communion  with  my  dear  kindred  who  preceded  her,  and 
whom  I  hope  PTC  long  to  join  " 

"Well."  rejoined  Wetzel,  in  his  rude,  off-hand  way, 
"I  don't  car'  a  russ  who  he  is,  or  what  he's  called,  but  I'd 
jest  gin  a  dozen  buffler  hides  for  one  squint  at  him,  a 
hundred  yards,  over  old  Killn'gger's  back,  and  nobody  by 
to  disturb  the  fun.  If  I  didn't  make  a  hole  in  his  greasy 
face  mor?  powerfuller  nor  he's  made  in  that  thar  painted 
"ligy,  may  I  lose  all  my  shootin'  natur',  and  be  dogged 
with  skunks  till  no  Christyen  dar'  come  anigh  me." 

As  to  these  remarks  Albert  did  not  see  proper  to  re 
ply,  the  old  hunter  remained  silent,  and  both  agin  tixed 
their  eyes  and  attention  upon  the  plain.  By  this  lime 
the  crowd  had  begun  to  separate,  and  the  warriors  were 
alrenJy  resuming  their  places,  preparatory  to  a  renewed 
trial  of  skill.  At  length,  order  being  restored,  and  every- 
ihing  in  readiness,  another  warrior  steppeed  forward, 
and  was  just  in  the  act  of  poising  his  weapon  behind 
liim,  when  a  long,  nmd,  peculiar  whoop  reached  them 
from  l.ho  village  All  started,  and  eagerly  turned  their 
gaze  in  that  direction.  A  moment's  silence  ensued,  and 
then  the  vtlkir  rang  with  answering  yells,  that  again 
echoed  among  the  crags  and  fissures  of  the  hills,  as  if  all 
1he  imps  o£  tlie  infernal  rogions  had  suddenly  been  let 


154  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

loose;      and  then,  abandoning     their  sports,  the  whole 
party,  whooping  and  hallooing,  set  off  upon  a  jumping 
run  toward  the  center  of  their  rude  town. 
CHAPTER  XV. 

The  Huron   Chief— Perfection    of  Skill— and  Mountain 
Camp. 

The  cause  of  this  sudden  commotion  our  scouts 
could  not  for  some  time  divine.  Near  the  village  a  large 
crowd  was  collected,  and  seemed  to  be  in  eager  discus 
sion;  and  a  Inng  and  careful  scrutiny  through  the  glass 
at  length  revealed  the  secret.  A  new  party  of  warriors, 
from  some  of  the  neighboring  tribes,  had  arrived  to  join 
the  Hurons  in  their  sports,  and  prepare  themselves  to 
set  off  on  the  warpath  with  them  as  auxiliaries.  As  the 
Huron  warriors  neared  them,  the  others — some  fifty  in 
number,  from  one  of  the  allied  Iribes  of  the  Shawnecs* 
came  forward,  and  each  party  greeted  the  other  in  the 
customary  manner  of  the  Indians.  For  a  few  moments 
all  remained  in  a  body  near  the  village,  with  the  squaws 
and  children  standing  back  looking  on,  and  them  the 
whole  company,  consisting  of  both  parties,  set  off  toward 
the  race-ground — the  Wyandotts,  or  Hurons,*  forming 
the  van  and  rear,  as  an  escort  to  their  guests. 

Soon  after  they  arrived  upon  the  ground  prepara 
tions  were  made  for  continuing  the  warlike  sport  &o  re 
cently  abandoned.  The  Shawnees,  through  their  inter 
preter,  were  invited  to  take  a  part  in  the  proceedings, 
and  the  throwing  of  the  tomahawk  was  again  resumed. 
For  more  than  an  hour  this  was  carried  on  in  the  same 

"This  word,  we  believe,  is  correctly  spelled  Shawanoese; 
but  custom  has  altered  it  to  Shawnees;  and  for  conven 
ience,  we  adopt  the  popular  othography. 

"The  reader  will  perceive  that  we  have  made  Wyandott 
and  Huron  synonymous  terms,  as  in  .truth  they  were,  both 
being  applied  to  the  tribe  in  question.  But  for  greater  con 
venience,  we  will  use  only  the  term  Huron  hereafter;  and 
for  the  same  purpose,  we  will  designate  all  the  other  tribes 
— whether  Miamies,  Pottawattomies,  Chippewas,  Ottawas,  or 
what  not — under  the  general  title  of  Shawnees,  with  which 
nation  they  were  allied,  and  whose  language  was  spoken  in. 
common  by  all  the  tribes,  the  Hurons  only  excepted. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  155 

.manner  as  we  have  already  described — though,  we  must 
admit,  with  greater  skill — older  and  more  experienced 
liands  gradually  taking  the  place  of  the  younger  novices. 
Several  times  the  hatchet  had  been  lodged  in  the  head  of 
the  effigy,  and  every  time  the  skillful  marksman  had 
been  greeted  with  the  accustomed  shout  of  gratification. 
At  length  a  small  party,  consisting  of  four  indnrid- 
nals,  was  seen  slowly  approaching  from  the  village,  fol 
lowed  by  a  long  train  or'  squaws  and  children,  at  a  re 
spectful  distance.  On  this  becoming  known  to  the  as 
sembled  warriors,  the  sports  ceased,  and  all  stood  await 
ing  them  in  respectful  silence. 

"Thar  come  that  chiefs,"  observed  Wetzel;  ''and  for 
Jnjen?,  they're  powerful  good  lookin'  fellers,  I'll  hev  to 
allow — vhouph  I'd  a  —  sight  rayther  be  sp'ilin'  thar 
beauty,  and  takin'  thar  top-knots,  nor  seein'  'em  from 
here,  through  this  here  harmless  bit  o'  glass  aad  wood. 
Here,  take  a  look  for  yourself,  Master  Albert;"  and  he 
iiandod  his  companion  the  telescope,  which,  till  now,  he 
liad  kept  in  his  own  possession  since  the  first  breaking 
up  of  the  crowd 

Albert  turned  the  glass  upon  the  new  comers,  and 
was  forced  to  admit  that  he  had  rarely  seen  four  as 
handsome  looking  men,  physically  considered.  Ol!  the 
four,  three  of  them  were  not  less  than  six  feet  in  stature, 
*md  proportioned  with  all  the  symmetry,  grace,  and  mus 
cular  power  which  the  artist,  who  copies  nature,  so  de 
lights  to  contemplate.  The  fourth  personage  was  larger, 
taller,  more  muscular,  and  more  commanding  in  person, 
-every  way,  than  his  companions.  He  was  not  less  than 
six  feet  six  inches  in  height,  but  so  beautifully  propor 
tioned  *,hat  to  have  setn  him  standing  alone,  with  none 
near,  by  which  i.o  draw  comparison,  ten  to  one  you 
would  not  think  him  above  the  ordinary  stature.  He  was 
just  of  an  age,  too,  to  give  him  a  dignified  appearance, 
without  associating  with  it  the  idea  that  his  mental  or 
physics,!  faculties  were  in  the  least  impaired.  Straight  as 
.an  arrow,  with  head  erect,  and  nostrils  slightly  expand- 


156  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

cd,  he  walked  with  a  grace  and  ease  that  none  could  ex 
cel,  and  with  all  the  proud  dignity  of  a  sovereign — his 
dark  eagle  eye,  and  "front  of  Jove,"  assuring  all  who 
beheld  him  they  gazed  upon  no  ordinary  man.  From  the 
marked  deference  paid  him,  even  by  his  comrade  chiefs, 
it  was  easy  to  perceive  he  was  as  much  their  superior  in 
rank  and  power  as  in  physical  proportions.  On  the  pres 
ent  occasion  he  was  evidently  dressed  with  some  care, 
vhouph  with  little  ostentation.  His  scalp-lock  was  orna 
mented  with  the  feathers  of  the  bird  whose  name  he 
bore,  and  which,  as  was  sometimes  customary,  had  been 
given  to  his  village.  His  breast  and  arms,  with  th<;  ex 
ception  ot  paint,  were  entirely  bare — though  a  couple  of 
ooar?o,  heavy  jewels  depended  from  his  ears,  which  had 
undoubtedly  been  presents  to  him  from  British  agents 
of  the  Canadas.  Around  his  loins  he  wore  a  skirt  of  soft- 
vlressed  deer-akin,  showily  embroidered  with  beads  of 
divers  colors,  *.n  v<hich  the  brightest,  and  those  of 
{.trongnt  contrast,  predominated.  Securing  this  r-kirt 
v/as  the  usual  wampum  belt,  also  highly  wrought  with 
beads,  in  which  \\ere  carelessly  stuck  the  never-failing 
•iccompaniments,  the  tomahawk  and  scalping- knife,  the 
liaf:  of  the  latter  inlaid  with  silver  and  mother-of-pearl 
— this  being  also  a  present  from  his  white  allies — and 
the  blades  of  both  glittering,  as  though  they  had  never 
been  dimmed  in  the  blood  of  a  human  being.  Bright 
s-carlet  loggins,  encircled  with  rows  of  parti-colored 
beads  and  little  silver  bells,  that  tinkled  as  he  walked, 
together  with  moccasins  in  correct  keeping,  completed 
his  attir-3.  Guch  was  Tarhe,*  the  head  chief  of  the 
Wyandott  nation,  at  that  day  one  of  the  mosi:  powerful 
smd  blond-thirsty  tribes  of  the  Northwest  Territory. 

The  companions  of  Tarhe,  as  we  have  said,  were  all 

*Anglice,  Crane.  The  village  we  have  described  was 
called  after  the  chief,  Tarhetown,  or  Cranetown.  It  was  the 
principal  one  of  the  tribe  or  nation;  but  there  was  another, 
some  eight  or  ten  miles  distant,  called  by  the  whites,  Tob- 
eytown,  after  the  chief  Tobey,  who  was  a  subordinate  of 
Tarhe. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  157 

chiefs.  One  was  Tobey,  his  own  subordinate,  and  the 
olher  two  were  Shawnees.  All  wore  marks  of  distinction 
similar  to  tho?e  of  Tarhe,  though  less  tasty  and  less  val 
uable.  As  they  approached  the  arena,  the  young  war 
riors  drew  themselves  up  with  an  air  of  the  most  pro 
found  respect,  in  two  lines,  through  which  the  chiefs  en 
tered  the  ground  of  contest — the  spectators  keeping  re 
spectfully  back,  and  all  classes  observing  a  careful  si 
lence.  Having  carelessly  examined  the  ground  for  a  'mo 
ment  or  two.  the  chiefs  moved  forward  to  the  target, 
while  the  warriors  resumed  their  places  at  the  opposite? 
end.  and  the  srowd  of  spectators  took  up  their  position, 
as  before,  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  hollow  square. 

After  a  close  examination  of  the  target  and  breast 
work,  during  which  several  approving  nods  and  grunts 
of  satisfaction  wero  made  and  uttered,  the  chiefs  slowly 
returned  to  the  assembled  warriors,  and  Tarhe  gave  the 
signal  that  he  wished  the  sports  to  be  resumed.  His  wish 
was  immediately  complied  with;  and  drawing  aside,  in 
iuch  a  manner  as  to  face  the  Standing  Stone,  he  folded 
liis  arms  on  bis  broad,  manly  chest,  and  looked  on,  with 
all  the  proud  dignity  ind  gravity  which  a  monarch  of 
the  olden  tin.e  might  be  supposed  to  view  the  deadly 
contest^,  of  hi3  own  fierce  gladiators. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  there  was  no  little  feeling  of 
jealous  rivalry  among  the  warriors  of  both  tribes,  all 
of  whom  were  exceedingly  anxious  to  distinguish  them- 
relves  in  thp  nresence  of  their  venerated  commanders.  Nor 
was  the  prhle  of  success  alone  on  the  part  of  the  braves; 
lor  whenever  a  hatchet  lodged  in  the  head  of  the 
(•ffigy,  those  v/ho  watched  the  countenances  of  the  c'clefs 
"losely  could  perceive  a  brightening  of  their  dark  eyes, 
the  only  signs  of  gratification  manifested,  by  which  one 
could,  know  that  these  gallant  stoics  were  secretly  pleas 
ed. 

As  the  trial  of  skill  had  now  fallen  upon  the  older  and 
nore  experienced  part  of  the  warriors,  nearly  every 
throw  lodged  the  tomahawk  in  the  head  of  the  effigy — 


158  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

the  only  difference  being  in  the  distance  it  struck  from 
the  central  mark  which,  as  if  it  bore  a  charm,  still  re- 
maired  untouched.  The  trial  had  become  very  exciting, 
too,  s.o  that  even  the  most  aged  veterans,  some  of  whom 
had  in  their  day  been  chiefs  of  renown,  drew  nigh  to 
witness  it — perceiving,  Tarhe  motioned  them  to  ap 
proach  him,  and  even  accorded  them  a  stand  of  honor 
in  front  of  his  own  commanding  person.  Out  of  respect 
In  the  chiefs,  all  was  conducted  with  due  decorum  and 
in  perfect  silence — none  venturing  to  give  vent  to  their 
gratification,  as  heretofore,  in  a  single  shout  Even  the 
children  looked  grave,  as  if  they  comprehended  in  whose 
presence  they  stor.d 

Thus  another  hour  rolled  away,  when  Tarhe  sig 
nified  to  th/3  Shawnee  chiefs  that  he  would  make  a  irial 
with  -hem..  This  being  roadily  assented  to,  the  first  step 
ped  forward,  and  displaying  his  fine  person  to  the  best 
advantage,  arid  with  such  a  manly  effect  that  low  mur 
murs  of  approbation  involuntarily  ran  among  the  as 
semblage,  re  poised  his  tomahawk,  with  the  carelessness 
of  confidence,  and  threw  it  with  fatal  precision.  Every 
eye  watched  it  during  its  evolutions,  and  when  it  buried 
its  keen  blade  in  the  forehead  of  the  human  representa 
tive,  only  half  an  inch  to  the  left  of  the  center,  one  si 
multaneous  shout  burst  from  the  lips  of  the  multitude. 
Even  the  eyes  of  the  Huron  chief  gleamed  with  unusual 
satisfaction,  as  he  gave  an  approving  nod.  The  other 
chief  now  stepped  forward,  with  an  appearance  no  less 
imposing  than  his  companion,  and  flug  his  weapon  with 
a  skill  that  showed  him  to  be  a  dangerous  warrior  to 
his  foes. 

It  was  now  Tarhe's  turn;  and  every  thing  had  con 
spired  to  raise  the  excitement  to  such  a  pitch  that  not  a 
Dingle  being  --noved,  and  not  a  breath  could  be  heard  in 
all  that  vast  assemblage.  Conscious  that  every  eye  was 
upon  him,  and  that  in  himself  was  centered  the  pride  of 
his  own  powerful  nation,  whose  triumph  or  chagrin 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  15  9 

would  be  alike  in  his  victory  or  defeat — in  his  excelling 
or  being;  excelled  by  His  Shawnee  brothers — he  walked 
boldly  forward  to  the  usual  stand  of  the  thrower,  with 
out  the  least  apparent  trepidation,  and  after  cooly  sur 
veying  the  ground  for  a  moment,  quietly  stepped  back 
some  five  cr  six  paces,  ae  if  he  disdained  to  be  on  an 
equality  with  his  predecessors,  even  in  distance.  This 
act  alone,  in  any  one  else,  would  have  drawn  forth  a 
shout  of  applause;  but  in  the  present  instance  all  ,vere 
to  excited  tc  let  even  so  much  as  a  breath  be  heard. 

Having  fixed  himself  in  a  suitable  position,  the 
chiof  drew  forth  his  bright  tomahawk,  and  glancing  at 
its  shining  blade,  poised  it  in  his  hand  a  few  times, 
much  as  a  vood -chopper  handles  his  ax  preparatory  to 
striking  a  powerful  and  accurate  blow.  All  this  rime 
he  had  been  standing  erect,  in  the  center  of  the  arena, 
alone,  with  his  feet  close  together,  and  so  even,  that  two 
parallel  iines  would  have  touched  alike  both  toes  and 
heels.  Nothing  could  be  finer  and  more  commanding 
•.han  his  clearly-defined,  symmetrical,  half  naked  form, 
with  its  full,  rounded,  muscular  arms  and  chest,  set  off 
below  with  the  ornamental  trappings  of  a  chief.  And 
then  his  head,  so  erect,  with  its  slightly  aquiline  nose, 
expanded  nostrils,  well-turned  mouth,  bold,  high  fore 
head,  ard  dark,  eagle  eye — which  he  calmly  fixed  upon 
the  object  toward  which  his  skill  was?  about  to  be  direct 
ed — made  him  indeed  appear  a  something  worthy  of  ad 
miration,  cis  the  v:ork  of  the  Great  Unseen,  even  though 
he  was  lost  to  civilization  and  Christianity. 

For  a  moment  the  Huron  chief  stood  as  we  have  de- 
i.cribed  him;  and  then  giving  a  loud,  short  whoop,  he 
threw  hiiriself  back  upon  his  right  foot,  with  a  morior. 
like  lightning.  The  next  instant  the  tomahawk  whirled 
past  his  head  with  almost  incredible  velocity,  and  was 
seen  for  a  second  or  two  flashing  the  sun's  rays  from 
its  bright  blade,  and  then  it  struck  with  a  dull  sound, 
and  buried  itself  completely  to  the  eye  in  the  exact  cen 
ter  of  the  forehead  of  the  effigy,  actually  splitting  it 


160  THE 'FOREST  KOSE 

open,  in  spite  of  the  skins  around  it,  as  it  would  done  the 
skull  of  :i  human  being.  There  was  another  moment  of 
breathless  surprise  and  admiration,  during  which  the 
target  slowly  tottered  over  sideways;  and  then  the  air 
was  rent  with  whcors.  cries,  screams,  shrieks,  and  yolls 
of  exulation,  which  lasted  for  some  five  minutes  without 
cessation. 

As  if  being  satisfied  with  what  he  had  done,  without 
caring  for  the  effect  it  produced  on  the  minds  of  the  peo 
ple,  the  Huron  chief  sauntered  leisurely  away  in  the  di 
rection  of  his  visage,  leaving  the  crowd  to  exult  in  his 
triumph,  and  some  one  of  the  many  warriors  to  restore 
him  his  weapon,  which  was  done  by  a  Shawnee  brave, 
with  an  air  of  veneration,  ere  he  had  gone  over  half  the 
distance  which  divided  the  race-ground  from  the  town — 
the  young  man  having  been  the  first  to  reach  the  effigy 
after  its  fail. 

The  Shawnee  chiefs  accompanied  Tarhe,  together 
witt  several  of  the  old  sachems;  and  most  of  the  specta 
tors  and  warriors  gradually  followed — there  being  no 
longer  curiosity  OL  sport  sufficient  to  keep  them  to  the 
arena  A  few  of  the  younger  and  less  experienced  of 
the  Huroiis  and  Shawnees  remained  on  the  ground,  how 
ever,  more  for  the  puipose  of  practicing,  than  display  of 
skill.  But  gradually  they  became  weary  of  the  sport, 
and  dropped  off.  one  after  another,  till  at  last  the  plain 
in  lvout  of  our  scouts,  so  lately  occupied  by  more  than 
five  hundred  human  beings,  including  both  sexes  and  all 
ages  and  sizes,  was  left  entirely  vacant,  and  a  deep  si 
lence  reigned  upon  the  deserted  spot. 

Tlif.  day  was  now  fast  declining,  and  already  the  sun 
was  drawing  near  the  verge  of  the  Western  horizon. 
The  great  forest  was  already  beginning  to  assume  the 
sober  gray  of  approaching  night,  while  in  the  deep  val 
leys  and  glens  the  heavy  shadows  of  the  hills  rested,  and 
gave  thorn  the  darkening  hue  of  twilight.  Birds  that 
had  fluttorcd  over  the  heads  of  our  scouts  through  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  161 

<day,  and  sung  their  sylvan  songs  in  the  branches  of  the 
neighboring  trees,  were  gradually  disappearing,  one  af 
ter  another,  to  seek  their  accustomed  places  of  rest; 
while  others,  to  which  night  was  day,  were  already  pre 
paring  to  leave  their  haunts  and  venture  off  in  quest  of 
food. 

Being  now,  as  it  were  completely  left  to  themselves, 
with  no  prying  eyes  or  savages  near  to  detect  them, 
should  their  persons  chance  for  a  moment  to  be  exposed, 
our  epies  naturally  bethought  them  of  seeking  a  proper 
place  of  rest  for  their  own  weary  limbs  and  bodies.  For 
th^s  purpose  both  crept  cautiously  t'rom  behind  their 
rocky  porapet,  where  they  had  so  long  and  closely  watch 
ed  the  enemies  of  their  race,  and  t,till  keeping  their  per 
sons  as  much  as  possible  concealed  from  any  chance 
straggler  en  the  plain,  they  proceeded  to  reconnoiter 
the5r  new  home,  (for  home  it  was  to  prove  to  them  for 
•days,  perhaps  for  weeks,  unless  accidentally  discovered.) 
with  some  such  fet-lings  as  must  have  boea  uppermost  in 
t>io  mind  of  Robinpon  Cruso,  when  he  first  took  a  survey 
of  his  luiielv  island,  with  a  view  to  learn  what  were  its 
natural  advantages  toward  giving  him  comfortable  quar 
ters  and  protection  against  man  and  beast  during  the 
period  he  v/ould  be  obliged  to  lemain  there.  The  cases 
are  not  parallel,  we  admit- -for  while  our  scouts  had 
voluntarily  sought  their  present  lonely  and  dangerous 
location,  and  had  power  to  retreat  at  any  moment,  Cru- 
sre  hal  been  forced  upon  his  by  accident,  and  had  no 
means  of  leaving  it;  but  still  there  was  a  similarity,  in 
asmuch  as  both  pnrties  found  a  necessity  for  remaining, 
ai'd  both  alike  felt  the  loneliness  of  their  situation. 

The  spot,  on  examination,  was  found  more  conveni 
ent  for  our  st-outs  than  they  had  anticipated.  The  area 
of  tl>e  Standing  Stone,  as  we  have  already  said,  was  about 
a  hundred  yards  in  length,  by  some  thirty  in  breadth; 
and  tlicy  were  admirably  protected,  from  any  chance 
view,  by  heavy  rocks,  lying  horizontally  on  the  top  of  the 


162  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

upright  pillars  of  nature,  and  by  stunted  trees  and  dense 
shrubbery,  that  had  here  and  there  shot  their  trunks  and 
branches  up  from  a  foothold  of  earth  through  numerous 
fissures.     Some  of  the  rocks,  being  soft,  had  been  hollow 
ed  out  by  the  floods  of  centuries,  and  in  their  cavities 
was  found  a  goodly  quantity  of  watei,  which  had  not 
h^d  time  to  evaporato  since  the  last  rain.     This  was  a 
matter  of  great  importance  to  our  friends  as  there  were 
no  spring^  on  the  mountains,  and  consequently  no  other 
means  of  quenching  tteir  thnst  than   to  seek   for   the 
liquid  element  on  the  banks  of  the  Hockhocking — a  pro 
ceeding  alike   troublesome      and   dangerous.      Near   the 
southern  end  of  their  limited  space,  a  spot  was  found 
that  would  serve  them  admirably  for  a  sleeping  place  at 
night.     A.  large  flat  rock,  some  ten  feet  by  twenty,  was 
lodged   upor.   some  smaller  rocks,   so  as  to  project  over 
their,  and  leave  a  cavity  sufficiently  large  for  our  spies 
to  crawl  into,  and  be  protected  frcm  the  cold  night  dews 
and  frosts,  which,  at  this  season  of  the  year,  and  in  this 
climate,    were   very   severe,   and   which   they   could    not 
guard  against  by  fire,  as  the  light  of  it  would  be  sure  to 
expose  them,  and  bring  down  certain  destruction  upon 
their  heads.  At  the  base  of  this  rock,     which  was  some 
five  foefr  below  the  level,  the  ground  rock,  upon  which 
the  smaller  stones  that  propped  it  up  rested,  was  level 
as  a  floor,  and  ran  off  to  the  front  of  the  precipice,  some 
si::  or  eight   feet   distant,   where,   as   if  to   protect   our 
scouts  from  accidentally  rolling  off  in  their  sleep,  another 
heavy  rock  stretched  along,  and  even  slightly  overhung 
the  precipitous  verge.     A  few  bushes  on   the   southern 
side,  and  a  small  tree  on  the  northern,  whose  branches 
spread  completely  overhead,   formed  the  end  walls  and 
canopy  to  this  delightful  retreat,  and  served  to  screen  the 
little  bod-room,  if  we  may  sO  term  it  from  the  eye  of  any 
one  standing  above.    As  if  to  add  to  its  convenience,  too, 
the  front  rock,  or  parapet,  was  so  raised  at  one  end  that  a 
person  lying  flat  upon  the  stone  forming  the  floor,  could 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  163 

look  under  it,  and  note  nearly  everything  taking  place 
on  the  plain,  and  yet  be  himself  completely  concealed 
from  observation. 

"Well",  said  Wet/el,  as  he  descended  into  his  new 
home,  followed  by  Albert,  "I'll  hev  to  allow  that  natnr's 
done  the  decent  thing  for  us;  and  ef  we  can't  be  content 
"hero,  we  oughter  be  obligated  to  sleep  on  p'inted  rocks 
in  the  open  air — them's  my  sentiments." 

"A  charming  place,  truly,"  returned  Albert  survey 
ing  the  spot  with  an  air  of  melancholy  pleasure.  "It  does 
seen?,"  he  added,  as  all  its  conveniences  came  gradually 
into  viow,  "as  if  this  retreat  was  designed  exactly  for 
the  uses  to  which  we  are  about  to  put  it." 

"Couldn't  hev  bettered  it  much  ef  I  had  made  it 
myself,  '  v/as  the  satisfied  rejoinder  of  his  companion. 
"And  n"w  we've  got  here,  let's  eat;  for  I've  got  a  time- 
piec .;  in  me  as  says  it's  bin  powerful  long  since  last  feed- 
in'  time." 

Our  two  scouts  now  leaned  their  rifles  against  the 
rock,  where  they  could  grasp  them  at  a  moment,  when 
Albert  piocceded  to  open  Mrs  knapsack,  and  take  out, 
first  a  couple  of  canteens,  then  a  couple  of  woolen  blan 
kets,  nnd,  lastly,  as  niuc'h  cold  corn  bread  and  jerked 
venison  as  he  thought  would  serve  them  for  their  sup- 
ptr — this  being  the  portable  food  with  which  they  had 
plentifully  supplied  themselves.  Wetzel  did  not  open  his 
knapsack,  as  it  contained  only  the  before-mentioned  corn 
bread  -ind  jerked  venison;  and  being  co-partners  in 
everything,  there  was  no  necessity  for  commencing  on 
one  stock  till  the  other  should  be  exhausted.  Albert  next 
fi'.lel  one  of  the  canteens  with  rain  water,  found  in  the 
hollows  of  the  rocks,  and  the  two  friends  sat  down  to 
their  frugal  repast  eating  with  that  keen  relish  which 
long  fasting  and  hard  labor  never  fails  to  supply. 

Ere  their  simple  meal  was  finished  the  sun  went 
dowii  in  a  beautiful  bed  of  golden  yellow,  which  for  a 
'ong  time  lingered  on  the  western  sky,  gradually  fading 


164  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

away  into  tbe  dusky  hue  of  night.  Gradually,  one  by  one, 
the  brightest  of  the  golden  stars  made  themselves  faintly 
visible  in  the  vault  about — but  the  hazy  atmosphere  pre 
vented  the  dimmer  constellations  from  being  seen.  Grad 
ually  shadow  after  shadow  crept  upon  the  plain,  till  at 
last  the  dark  outline  of  the  earth  blended  with  the  air, 
&nd  became  lost  to  the  view,  as  if  a  mighty  veil  had  been 
drawn  over  it.  Occasionally  a  laugh,  or  a  merry  shout, 
c-ame  borne  or.  the  still  air  from  the  village,  the  outlines 
of  which  could  be  traced  by  the  light  of  its  hundred  lurid 
fires,  which  flashed  up  from  the  dark  background;  and 
figures  could  bf  seen  stalking  to  and  fro  in  the  illumed 
ppace,  which  our  scouts,  with  their  knowledge  of  its  in 
habitants,  could  liken  to  nothing  but  fiends  at  their  un 
earthly  orgies.  Gradually  the  sounds  of  merriment  sub 
sided,  the  lir^s  burned  more  and  more  dim,  and  at  last  a 
drowsy  quiet  prevailed;  and  save  the  thousand  night- 
singers,  which  made  forest  and  plain  vocal  with  their 
music,  the  occasional  bark  of  a  restless  mastiff,  the 
gloomy  hooting  of  the  owl,  or  the  discordant  bowlings  of 
hungry  wolves,  already  roving  about  in  quest  of  what 
they  might  devour — sounds  that  were  familiar  in  a  forest 
in  those  primitive  days  of  border  life — with  the  exception 
of  these,  we  say,  the  deep  repose  and  stillness  of  night 
had  come. 

Wetzel  had  long  since  crept  under  the  rock,  rolled  up 
in  his  blanket,  and  was  now  enjoying  a  sound  and  heal 
thy  sltim'oer;  and  Albert,  who  had  remained  up,  seated  on 
a  little  stone,  with  nis  head  leaning  against  a  rock,  wrap 
ped  in  melancholy  meditation,  now  began  to  feel  the  po 
tent  power  of  Somnus,  and  prepared  to  follow  his  ex 
ample. 

It  required  but  little  time  to  get  himself  in  readiness 
for  repose.  Rolling  his  blanket  carefully  around  him,  to 
keep  off  the  damp  chills  of  the  night  air,  he  crawled  up 
alongside  of  his  companion,  and  placing  his  head  on  a 
stone,  which  was  to  serve  him  in  place  of  a  softer  pillow, 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  165 

he  soon  fell  into  a  light  slumber,  and  for  hours  was  ren 
dered  happy  by  dreaming  a  delightful  dream  of  his  own 
dearly  beloved  Forest  Rose. 

CHAPTER  XVI 

Huron  War  Sports. 

When  our  two  friends  aroused  themselves  to  con 
sciousness,  it  was  broad  daylight  and  the  sun  was  just  be 
ginning  to  peer  above  the  eastern  horizon,  and  tip  the 
mountain  tops  with  his  golden  light.  Of  course  their 
first  1'jOK-out  was  toward  the  plain,  which  was  again  seen1 
stretching  away  before  them,  covered  with  a  light  hoar 
frost.  Nothing  near  was  seen  stirring,  but  far  in  the  dis 
tance  a  small  herd  of  buffalo  was  descried,  cropp'ng  the 
scanty  herbage.  The  village  still  remained  quiet;  but  a 
few  early  risers  mostly  squaws,  could  be  seen  moving 
slowlv  about,  relighting  the  extinguished  fires,  by  which 
to  prepare  the  morning's  frugal  repast  for  their  still 
slumbering  lords  and  masters.  Along  the  course  of  the 
river,  and  in  the  valley  beyond,  lay  a  dense,  heavy  fog, 
which,  as  the  sun  rose,  lifted  itself,  and  rolled  away  in 
huge  masses,  to  dissolve  and  mingle  itself  with  the  less 
humid  atr>  osphere. 

In  the  coarse  of  half  an  hour,  the  village  was  again 
alive  with  its  hundreds  of  primitive  denizens.  Warriors, 
squa'vs,  and  pappooses,  were  now  seen  lounging  about, 
and  occasionally  grouped  together,  apparently  discussing 
some  affair  of  no  great  importance.  Suddenly  the  buffa 
loes  or  the  plain  were  seen  to  be  violently  agitated,  and' 
then  they  broke  away  pell-mell,  taking  a  southerly  di 
rection.  Immediately  after,  the  cause  of  this  sudden  oom- 
motion  became  apparent  to  our  scouts.  From  the  thicket 
that  fringed  the  prairie  near  the  base  of  the  line  of  hills 
away  to  the  right — which  formed  its  nothern  boundary, 
and  gave  vent  to  the  headwaters  of  the  beautiful  Hock- 
hocking  —a  band  of  mounted  hunters  suddenly  burst  into 
view,  and  gave  chase  after  the  flying  herd,  more  than 
one  of  whose  number  was  already  wounded  by  a  simul- 


166  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

taneous  discharge  of  their  rifles,  though  not  so  severely 

as  to  prevent  a  rapid  flight. 

"Tha.-*  go  the  cusses,"  chuckled  Wetzel,  "arter  buf- 
flers  as  mought  awaited  for  'em,  ef  they'd  only  kuow'd 
how  to  pi'nt  thar  pieces  like  white  gintlemen.  Ods,  bods! 
I'd  jest  like  to  sen  the  cow — ay,  or  for  that  matter,  the 
bull  ayther — that  'ud  make  much  headway  after  old 
Killnigger  had  spoke  to  her,  at  the  distance  they  was  off 
when  they  fired.  But  what  can  a  body  'spect  one  o'  the 
red  imps  o'  Satan  to  know  'bout  handling'  white  gintle- 
men's  inventions?  'Tain't  thar  natur's;  and  consarn 
Vheir  greasy,  thick-headed  pates,  they  haint  got  sense 
enough  to  know  it.  At  murderin'  women  and  children, 
when  they  git  'em  alone  by  themselves,  then  can  do  pow 
erful,  and  that's  all  they're  good  for.  Ah,  see!  they've 
stopped  'round  somethin',  and  it's  maybe  they've  got  one 
o'  the  critters  arter  all." 

"They  have."  rejoined  Albert,  looking  through  the 
glass,  for  the  distance  was  too  great  to  mark  anything 
distinctly  with  the  naked  eye.  "They  have  surrounded  a 
wounded  animal  that  seems  to  make  great  efforts  to  es 
cape,  notwithstanding  I  have  seen  no  less  than  six  weap 
ons  discharged  at  it,  at  the  distance  apparently  of  the 
same  number  of  paces." 

"Yes,  tbar  it  is  again,"  resumed  Wetzel,  whose  preju 
dice  and  inveterate  hatred  of  the  Indians  would  not  per 
mit  him  to  give  them  credit  for  anything;  "thar  it  is 
agin,  jest  as  I  'snected — shoot  six  rifle  balls  into  a  wound 
ed  buffler,  and  then  not  be  able  to  mor'n  fetch  him  to  his 
knees,  when  one  bullet,  rightly  p'mted,  would  lay  him  so 
dead  that  he'd  iorgit  to  kick.  Thunder!  I  only  wish  I 
war  the  huffier  for  about  the  length  o'  five  minutes!  I'd 
bet  a  horn  o'  powder  again  a  gun  flint,  I  could  knock  the 
hind  sights  off  o'every  thevin,'  murderin'  devil  o'  'em, 
and  put  'em  on  a  bee  trail  for  thar  squaw  women  a  heap 
faster  nor  they  rid  down  thar." 

"There,  they  have  conquered  at  last!'    pursued  Albert, 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  167 

who  had  closely  noted  the  progress  of  events  on  the  plain 
during  the  remarks  of  his  companion,  and  who,  being  by 
this  time  thoroughly  accustomed  to  the  peculiar  humors 
of  the  other,  dicl  not  always  deem  it  incumbent  upon  him 
to  make  any  direct  reply;  "they  have  conquered  at  last; 
ihe  bull  is  down,  and  to  all  appearance  dead.  Yes,  some 
of  them  are  dismounting,  and  there,  now,  they  have  fall 
en  upon  him,  and  are  beginning  to  remove  his  hide." 

"How  mary  on  'em  be  thar  altogether?"  asked 
Wetrel. 

"I  can  count  fifteen." 

"Fifteen  red  niggers  onto  one  buffler!"  returned  the 
old  hunter,  contemptuously.  "Thunder!  what  sneakin*. 
murdenin'.  thievin'  cowards  these  here  same  Injens  is. 
Fifteen  cusses  on  to  one  bull  buffler!  when  I've  knocked 
many  a  one  over,  and  nobody  by,  and  thought  nothin* 
about  it  arter  wards." 

"Of  course  one  white  gentlemen  is  more  than  a 
match  for  fifteen  Indians?"  observed  Albert,  a  little  mis 
chievously. 

"In  course  he  is,"  returned  Wetzel,  with  a  matter- 
of-fact  gravity— -"in  course  he  is.  But  what's  that  thar 
hollerin'  about?" 

"The  Indians  are  coming  toward  the  race  ground, 
to  begin  their  shorts  for  the  day,"  replied  Albert,  looking 
toward  the  village,  and  perceiving  a  large  party  in  the 
act  of  leaving  it. 

In  the  course  of  another  half  hour  the  scene  in  front 
of  our  hunters  was  materially  changed.  By  this  time  a 
"arge  crowd,  c*  the  same  mingled  character  as  we  have 
already  described,  was  collected  on  the  race  ground;  and 
while  some  resumed  the  sport  of  throwing  the  tomahawk, 
others  amused  themselves  by  running  foot-races,  leaping 
and  jumping.  The  foot-racing  was  a  very  exciting  aud 
popular  amusement,  judging  from  the  numbers  who  en 
tered  into  the  contest,  and  the  degree  of  merriment  it  oc 
casioned  in  ctii  parlies.  A  little  south  of  the  arena  a  stake 


16g  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

was  driven  into  the  earth,  to  mark  the  point  of  starting: 
and  another  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west  of  it,  to  des 
ignate  the  point  of  turning.  At  the  former  place  some 
rifty  young  men  arranged  themselves  in  a  low  row,  side 
by  side,  all  facine  westward.  A  few  old  men  stood  by  to 
act  as  judges,  and  give  the  signal  for  setting  out.  One 
of  these  held  ?.  rude  drum,  fashioned  like  a  tamborme, 
being  merely  an  untanned  deerskin  drawn  tightly  over 
a  hoop,  and  having  a  width  of  rim  of  some  six  inches. 
"When  all  were  ready  for  a  start  he  would  strike  this  with 
-a  stick  he  held  for  the  purpose,  and  away  would  bound 
•the  whole  party — whooping,  hallowing,  yelling,  and 
jumping-  -each  straining  every  nerve  to  outdo  his  fel 
lows.  The  race  was  to  end  where  it  begun;  and  when  the 
party  neareci  the  opposite  stake,  then  came  the  great  trial 
-of  skill  and  activity,  to  keep  up  their  speed,  turning  with 
out  loosing  too  ?nuch  time,  and  dart  off  again  in  an  op 
posite  direction  Of  all  that  set  out,  some  three  or  four 
of  the  party  would  always  have  the  lead  of  the  main  body 
at  the  winning-post,  and  one  would  generally  be  winner, 
though  often  by  not  more  than  a  couple  of  feet,  while 
the  others  would  be  scattered  sometimes  the  whole  dis 
tance  between  the  two  points. 

The  race  was  at  last  mostly  warmly  contested  be 
tween  Ogwehea  and  a  young  Shawnee.  Twice  they  came 
In  together,  breast  to  breast,  neither  having  been  able  to 
gain  a  foot,  or  even  an  inch,  on  his  rival,  either  in  going 
down  to  the  turn,  or  in  coming  back.  This  was  so  re 
markable  that  all  the  other  runners  held  back,  to  give 
them  the  ground  to  themselves,  till  the  contest,  should 
be  decided.  The  third  time  they  ran  by  themselves;  and 
so  exciting  had  the  race  for  victory  now  become,  that  the 
tomahawk  arena  was  abandoned,  and  the  whole  crowd 
drew  themselves  up  in  two  long  lines,  covering  the  wnole 
ground  between  the  stakes,  to  witness  the  grand  trial. 
At  the  tap  of  the  drum  both  started  precisely  together, 
as  on  previous  occasions,  and  kept  so  till  tyey  reached  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  169 

opposite  s^ake;  but  here,  in  turning,  the  young  Shawnee 
accidently  slipped,  by  which  the  other  gained  a  dingle 
foot,  an  advantage  he  kept  all  the  way  back;  and  a  loud 
shout  from  the  excited  and  breathless  crowd,  proclaimed 
the  final  victory  of  Ogwehea. 

"I  know'-}  it,"  said  Wetzel,  giving  vent  to  one  of  his 
peculiar,  low  quiet  laughs.  "I  know'd  it  all  the  time. 
I  know'd  that  thar  cuss  must  win,  by  the  practice  he  had 
in  running  away  from  old  Killnigger  here,  the  night  I 
sot  you  at  liberty,  Master  Albert." 

After  the  decision  of  this  race,  the  crowd  gradually 
separated  aga'n;  and  while  some  continued  at  this 
amusement,  others  returned  to  the  arena — as,  by  way  of 
distinction,  we  must  designate  the  place  of  throwing  the 
tomahawk — while  othars,  divided  into  groups,  in  differ 
ent,  parts  of  the  plain,  proceeded  to  practice  leaping, 
wrestling,  dancing,  and  whatever  other  sports  most  pleas 
ed  their  fancy. 

The  scene,  take  it  all  in  all,  was  very  lively  and 
animated — moio  so,  even  than  that  which  our  scouts  had 
witnessed  the  day  previous — and  but  for  the  knowledge 
-.hat  these  same  sports  were  gradually  to  prepare  the  ac 
tors  r.o  go  on  the  bloody  war-path  against  the  almost  de 
fenseless  whites  of  the  frontiers,  Albert  and  Wetzel 
would  have  viewed  them  as  curiosities  in  their  way  with 
very  different  feelings  from  what  they  now  experienced. 

Mean  ti'ne,  the  hunters  returned,  loaded  with  buf 
falo  meat,  and  other  game;  and  having  done  their  part 
toward  providing,  for  the  day  at  least,  against  the  wants 
of  the  village,  they  sauntered  off  to  the  race-ground,  to 
take  part  in  the  amusements  themselves. 

Another  sport,  which  was  at  length  adopted— -and 
which,  being  rather  novel,  again  drew  the  separated  par 
ties  together,  either  to  the  spectators  or  to  take  part  in 
it — consisted  in  a  display  of  skill  with  fire-arms,  and 
with  the  more  primitive  weapons,  the  bow  and  arrow. 
A  now  target  was  Drought  from  the  village,  and  bound  to- 


170  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

a  stake  near  the  base  o£  the  hill,  between  what  we  have 
termed  the  arena  and  the  place  where  our  spies  were 
stationed  This  was  to  be  shot  at,  facing  the  hill;  and 
in  consequence  our  friends  had  to  be  more  guarded  than 
ever  against  being  in  the  slightest  degree  exposed. 

When  all  was  prepared  some  twenty-five  young  war 
riors,  all  armed  with  rifles,  began  the  sport.  The  spec 
tators  s*.ood  back,  in  a  long  line,  facing  the  Standing 
Stone,  but  leaving  a  wide  space  between  them  and  the 
target,  so  as  to  give  the  marksmen  a  clear  ground.  The 
warlike  amusement  was  begun  by  the  leader  of  the  party 
starting  off  singly  from  his  companions,  and  running 
with  all  his  might  in  front  of  the  effigy,  at  the  distance 
perhaps  of  lifty  paces,  and  discharging  his  rifle  at  it  as 
he  passed  the  contra!  line.  A  tally  man  stood  near  the 
spot  where  the  pieces  were  discharged,  who,  at  every  fire, 
instantl>  sprang  forward,  examined  the  target,  and.  if 
hit  at  all,  indicated  the  precise  spot,  by  placing  his  finger 
upon  it,  so  that  all  the  lookers-on  could  see  at  a  glance 
each  one's  success  or  failure 

This  warlike  sport  lasted  some  two  or  three  hours, 
during  wtiich  time  nearly  every  warrior  made  a  trial  of 
his  skill  with  the  rifle;  and,  judging  from  the  number  of 
rimes  the  finger  of  the  runner  touched  the  target  in  dif 
ferent  places,  the  savages,  as  a  body,  might  be  considered 
no  moan  markpmen,  even  to  those  whose  prejudices,  like 
Wetzel's.  most  reluctantly  conceded  anything  in  their 
favor. 

When  this  practice  with  the  rifle  had  become  some 
what  tiresome,  it  was  abandoned,  and  the  bow  and  arrow 
substituted.  With  this,  even  at  the  distance  we  have 
naro^d,  a?  a  general  thing,  the  shots  were  much  be'.ter 
made  than  with  the  other  weapon;  and  the  arrows  were 
left  to  stick  where  they  struck,  the  effigy  at  the  close  of 
the  sport,  might  be  likened  to  a  porcupine,  with  its  quills 
protruding  ic  every  diroction  save  one.  In  this  manner 
it  was  finally  bi.rre  in  triumph  to  the  village;  and  with 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  171 

this  the  events  of  the  day  closed. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  throughout  the  sec 
ond  night  our  spies  spent  on  the  mount;  and  on  the  fol 
lowing  day  the  different  sports  were  resumed,  with  the 
keen  relish  which  the  Indian  is  so  well  known  to  possess 
for  warlike  games.  Toward  noon,  a  new  and  more  ex 
citing  amusement  than  any  which  had  preceded  it,  was 
introduced.  This  was  none  other  than  horse  racing.  Some 
fifty  high-mettled,  beautiful  horses  were  rode  upon  the 
ground,  by  as  many  comely-formed,  athletic  young  war 
riors.  Nothing  could  be  finer,  more  graceful,  and  artis 
tic,  than  their  display  of  equestrian  skill;  and  even  Wet- 
:.el  was  forced  to  admit  that  "Tnjens  know'd  somethin' 
j>bout  bosses."  Without  saddle,  or  bridle,  or  trappings  of 
any  kind — with  only  a  sort  of  buckskin  halter,  which 
each  held  carelossly  in  one  hand — they  sat  upon  the  bare 
backs  of  their  steeds,  as  if  rider  and  horse  were  one,  and 
<'urveted.  and  pranced,  and  galloped,  and  ran,  and  wheel 
ed,  and  all  with  a  grace  and  ease  that  could  not  be  sur 
passed — tnoir  half-naked  and  flexible  bodies  swaying  to 
and  fro,  and  yielding  due  pcise  to  every  motion,  with 
every  muscle  in  full  and  manly  play.  It  was  a  beautiful 
sight,  and  would  have  made  an  admirable  study  for  the 
sculptor,  seeking  to  immortalize  himself  with  the  model- 
:ng  of  a  perfect  equestrian  statue. 

After  a  sufficient  display  of  their  horsemanship, 
amid  the  triumphant  yells  of  the  crowd,  the  young  war 
riors  drew  themselves  up  at  the  starting  point  of  the  race, 
in  the  same  manner  as  those  had  done  who  ran  on  foot. 
Here,  apparently,  the  while  village  was  collected,  a  few 
squaws  excepted  who  had  not  received  permission  of  their 
tyranical  masters  to  rest  from  their  usual  druggery. 
Conspicuous  above  all,  stood  the  noble  and  commanding 
form  of  Tarhe,  surrounded  by  inferior  chiefs,  old  sachems, 
sages,  and  oounsellors,  like  a  king  in  the  midst  of  his 
courtiers.  At  the  given  signal,  away  bounded  the  Avhole 
stud,  a<3  ore  beast,  and  like  lightning  flew  over  the  plain, 


172  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

their-  feet  scarcely  seeming  to  touch  the  earth,  and  their 
riders  sitting-  erect,  and  almost  as  immovable  as  so  many 
-statues  of  bronze.  Away,  away  they  went,  and  still  away 
till  some  live  miles  divided  them  from  the  spectators, 
when  they  brought  the  animals  to  a  sudden  halt,  and  fac 
ed  about,  forming  a  long,  military  line  abreast,  prepara 
tory  to  the  return.  Here  they  waited  some  five  or  ten  min 
utes,  to  give  their  horses  time  to  recover  their  wind,  and 
then  the  signal  was  given  to  start 

The  coming  in  was  the  grand  trial  of  the  race — the 
gcing   out   being   merely   a   preparatory      exercise — and 
every  exertion  was  now  made  to  force  each  beast  to  his 
greatest   velocity.     The  riders  no  longer  sat  erect,  but 
bending   forward  till   their   heads   almost   lay   upon   the 
nocks  of  their  flying  coursers,  they  urged  them  onward 
with  well  known  sounds  of  encouragement,  and  with  the 
ends  of  their  long  halters  which  they  laid  smartly  on 
their  flanks,   in  place  of  riding  switches,   occasionally 
sounding  the  loud,  shrill  war-whoop,  as  if  bearing  down 
upon  an  ennmy.    On,  on  they  came,  like  so  many  mounted 
devils,    making    the    very      earth    tremble    under    their 
thundering  tread,  and  here  and  there,  where  the  ground 
was  more  dry  than  elsewhere,  raising  a  cloud  of  dust  that 
completely  enveloped  them,   as  in  the  smoke  of  battle. 
On,  on  they  camo,  and  now  the  breathless  and  anxious 
multitude  besrnn  to  give  way  before  their  approach.     For 
some  tv,o  miles  there  was  very  little  variation   in   the 
speed   ^f  the  animals;  then  they  began  to  separate,  and 
here  and  there  one  to  fall  behind  in  the  general  strife. 
Still  seme  fifteen  or  twenty  kept  the  van,  and  for  a  mile 
or  two  further  bade  fair  to  divide  the  honors  of  the  race. 
But  within  a  mile  of  the  spectators,  the  fleetest  and  best- 
bottomed  studs  began  to  distance  their  neighbors.     Half 
a  mile  fuither.  there  were  five  abreast;  but  from  these, 
two  now  sprang  forward,  and  held  the  lead,  and  an  even 
wiy,  in  pyite  of  the  desperate  urgings  of  thsir  riders, 
till  withr.i  a  hundred  yards  of  the  goal,  when  one  sud- 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  173 

denly  leaped  forward  a  few  feet,  and  bore  his  gallant 
rider  in  a  winner  by  a  half  a  length.  A  loud,  long  shout 
followed  by  extravagant  yells  of  delight,  again  proclaim 
ed  Og\\  ehca  victorious  over  his  crestfallen  rider  of  the 
foot  race,  the  Shawnee  brave. 

But  we  will  not  dwell  longer  upon  the  war  sports  of 
the  savagos,  lest  we  weary  the  reader,  at  the  same  time 
that  we  delay  tho  most  important  part  of  our  "story. 
It  will  be  enough  to  say,  that  day  after  day  our  gallant 
spins  witnessed  the  horse  racing,  shooting,  tomahawk 
throwing,  leaping,  dancing,  and  running  of  their  bitter 
est  foes,  from  their  lofty  eyrie  among  the  rocks;  and 
almost  every  day  they  saw  their  numbers  increased  by 
the  arrival  of  some  new  war-party,  whose  appearance 
•would  bo  hailed  by  the  terrible  war-woop,  that  became 
more  terrible  still  in  its  echoes  among  the  hills. 

Nor  must  it  be  supposed  that  our  spies  had  altogeth 
er  a  retreat  of  safety.  Several  times  parties  of  Indians 
left  the  plain,  and  going  around  to  its  eastern  base,  as 
cended  the  Standing  Stone,  and  stood  upon  its  very  back 
bone,  within  a  few  feet  of  our  breathless  hunters,  who 
were  either  concealed  in  the  fissures  of  the  rocks,  or  were 
lyinc;  fJ/it  along  the  trunk  of  some  old  fallen  tree,  care 
fully  covered  with  decaying  leaves,  their  rifles,  on  every 
occasion,  firmly  grasped,  ready  for  the  last  emergency. 

At  last  a  new  source  of  annoyance,  occurred.  The 
water  in  the  hollows  of  the  rocks,  that  had  served  them 
thus  far  for  drink,  entirely  gave  out;  and,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  this  staple  beverage  must  be  elsewhere  procured, 
or  their  project,  so  near  completed,  be  abandoned. 

"It  11  hev  to  be  did,"  observed  Wetzel,  "and  thar's 
not  a  bit  o'  use  to  talk  agin  it.  We'll  hev  to  do  one  o' 
three  things,  sartin — ayther  g3t  the  drink  up  here,  die  or 
travel — and  it's  my  opine  we'd  best  git  the  drink." 

Accordingly,  after  due  preparation,  and  with  great 
caution,  Wetzel  descended  to  the  prairie,  and  keeping  in 
the  tMcket  which  skirted  its  margin  and  the  base  of  the 


174  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

northern  hills,  he  moved  stealthily  forward  till  the  last 
hut  of  the  village  was  a  quarter  of  a  mile  behind  him; 
then  turning  short  to  the  left  he  took  a  direct  course  for 
the  Hockr-ockir.g.  At  the  precise  place  where  he  struck 
tho  river,  -in  arm  of  a  hill  projected  forward  almost  to 
the  bank,  ^hich  was  here  rather  steep.  Turning  short 
round  this  projection,  the  old  hunter,  to  his  great  delight, 
found  a  beautiful  spring  of  clear,  cold  water,  which  bub 
bled  up  out  of  the  ground  only  a  few  paces  distant,  and, 
with  a  gentle  murmur,  glided  over  the  earth  and  buried 
itself  in  the  bosom  of  the  Hockhocking.  Filling  his  can 
teens,  Wetzel  did  not  pause  to  examine  the  beauties  of 
the  place,  but  quickly  and  carefully  made  his  way  back 
to  his  companion,  who  had  awaited  his  return  with 
many  fears  and  misgivings. 

This  water  served  our  spies  for  the  next  twenty- 
four  hours,  and  then  it  came  Albert's  turn  to  procure  a 
fresh  supply.  Following  the  directions  of  Wetzel,  and 
using  all  his  caution,  he  found  his  way  to  the  spring  and 
returned  i.i  safety.  Several  days  now  passed  away,  and 
alternately  each  scout  ventured  to  the  spring,  and  re 
turned  with  filled  canteens,  while  the  other  kept  a  sharp 
look-out  on  the  movements  of  the  savages — who  had  al 
ready  increased  to  more  than  five  hundred  warriors — 
when  the  following  thrilling  adventure,  so  important  in 
its  results  took  place. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  Surprise. 

Since  the  arrival  of  our  scouts  upon  the  Standing 
Stone,  the  weather  had  continued  much  as  we  described  it 
in  a  preceeding  chapter.  Every  day  the  sun  had  risen 
and  set  ir.  a  soft,  hazy,  cloudless  sky,  its  morning  and 
evening  beams  displaying  the  brightest  crimson  and  gol 
den  hues;  but  the  eventful  day  of  which  we  are  about  to 
speak,  had  brought  with  it  those  slight  changes  which 
are  looked  upon  as  the  precussors  of  a  storm.  The  Indian 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  175 

summer,  so  soft  and  delightful,  was  evidently  drawing 
to  a  rapid  close.  For  some  days  previous  to  this,  the 
atmosp-iere  had  been  observed  to  thicken  with  smoke, 
and  every  morning  and  evening  the  sun  had  set  in  a 
darker  red.  On  the  day  in  question,  the  heavy  smoke 
had  begun  to  gather  itself  into  huge  masses  of  various 
shapes,  which  piled  themselves,  one  above  the  other, 
something  like  the  thunder-heads  we  see  rising  in  the 
West  just  proceeding  a  summer  shower.  In  consequence 
of  this,  the  atmosphere  became  clearer,  and  of  a  less 
monotonous  appearance;  aad  at  times  the  sun  shone 
bright!}  down,  while  at  others,  his  rays  were 
completely  hidden  behind  thick,  dark  dark  clouds,  that 
m)vii'g  eastward  with  a  stiff  western  breeze,  bore  deep, 
floating  shadows  over  the  face  of  the  earth.  The  air 
too,  ha<?  Dpcome  colder,  and  the  decaying  leaves  on  the 
trees  rattled  one  against  the  other,  and  often  fell  in. 
Phrti-color.^d  showers  to  the  ground,  where,  unless  again 
disturbed  by  a  stronger  current  of  air,  they  passed  to  the 
last  stages  of  decay  and  dust,  and  yielded  their  mite  to 
ward  enriching  the  productive  soil. 

On  the  day  in  question,  the  sun  was  near  the  merid 
ian,  when  Albert  prepared  to  ?et  off  again,  to  replenish 
the  exhausted  stock  of  water,  and,  as  events  turned  out, 
to  make  his  last  visit  to  the  spring.  Looking  carefully 
to  the  priming  of  his  rifle,  noting  that  the  flint  was  in 
gooc.  order,  and  biding  Wetzel  keep  a  guarded  eye  on 
the  five  hundred  warriors  already  assembled  upon  the 
plain — and,  in  case  cf  an  attack,  to  let  his  rifle  warn 
him  immediately,  as  he  would  do  under  like  circum 
stances — he  slung  the  canteens  over  his  neck,  and  qui 
etly  departed.  So  many  times  had  Albert  and  Wetzel 
gone  to  the  spring,  without  meeting  any  event  worthy 
of  record,  that  both  had  in  a  measure  become  less  guard 
ed  tl  an  was  strictly  prudent;  but  en  the  present  occasion 
Albert  somehow  felt  strangely,  as  if  something  were 
about  to  transpire  of  the  utmost  moment  to  himself  and 


176  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

compnnioi-,  though  of  what  nature  he  had  no  idea.  His 
minri.  naturally  of  late,  of  a  very  melancholy  turn,  now 
felt  more  gloomy  and  depressed  than  usual.  Still  he  did 
not  fear  for  himself,  for  he  had  been  too  long  used  to 
dangers  in  every  form  to  give  much  thought  to  such  a 
subject,  and  there  was  no  more  reason  to  apprehend  a 
discovery  by  the  Indians  now,  in  fact,  less  so,  perhaps 
than  at  ary  previous  moment  since  entering  upon  th^ir 
immediate  possessions. 

Therefore,  with  his  head  bowed  upon  his  bosom,  in 
a  sort  of  melancholy  abstraction,  in  which,  it  must  be 
confessed,  one  object — his  own  Forest  Rose — appeared 
bright  and  unsullied,  as  he  had  known  her  in  happy  days 
gone  by — he  picked  his  way  through  the  deep  thicket  of 
plum  and  hazel  that  grew  upon  the  edges  of  the  prairie, 
along  the  base  of  the  northern  hills,  of  which  we  have 
before  made  mention.  In  less  than  half  an  hour  from 
quitting  his  companion,  Albert  had  turned  the  sharp 
projection  of  the  hill  and  gained  the  spring.  Filling  his 
canteens  with  the  same  air  of  abstraction  that  had 
marked  all  his  movements  since  leaving  the  Standing 
Stone,  he  sat  down  upon  a  moss-covered  rock,  and,  pine- 
ing  his  rife  in  bis  lap,  and  his  chin  upon  his  hands,  gazed 
silently  mto  the  limpid  water,  as  it  bubbled  up  from  the 
cool  eaith,  and,  forming  a  tiny  stream,  sped  away  with  a 
scothin?  lipple.  toward  the  Hockhocking,  into  which  it 
emptied,  and,  mingling,  became  a  portion  of  that  stream, 
which,  through  various  channels,  at  last  finds  its  way  to 
the  Gu if  of  Mexico. 

It  was  a  delightful  place  for  meditation,  for  nature 
had  here  unihed  many  of  her  most  pleasing  charms.  The 
hill  which  projected  so  near  to  the  river,  took  a  grace- 
full  sweep  away  to  the  right — leaving  the  spring  near  its 
base  in  a  <sort  of  cove — and  rose  high  above  it,  covered 
with  trees  and  undergrowth.  A  small  cluster  of  hazel 
bushes  :  hot  up  at  the  head  of  the  spring  and  fringed  the 
opposite  side  of  the  little  run,  and  also  the  margin  of  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  177 

river,  their  variegated  leaves  everywhere  reflected  in  th» 
limpid  waters.  A  path  was  trod  around  the  spring,  show 
ing:  th.°t  it  was  a  frequent  resort  of  the  Indians.  By  the 
side  of  this  path  was  the  stone  on  which  our  young  hero 
had  spated  himself,  apparently  regardless  of  his  being,  as 
it  were,  in  the  very  haunts  of  the  Indians,  where  discov- 
ery  might  prove  fatal.  Always  brave — and,  since  his 
connectior  with  Wet/el,  generally  cautious — he  now  ex 
hibited  a  carelessness  which  was  at  total  variance  with 
his  better  judgment  and  experience,  if  not  with  his 
nature — denoting  that  his  mind  was  absorbed  in  reflec 
tions  that  niipht  have  been  made  elsewhere  with  equal  fa 
cility,  and  certainly  with  far  greater  prudence  and  safe 
ty.  But  long  use  had  rendered  danger  a  sort  of  second 
nature  to  him;  and  success  so  far  iu  his  enterprise,  now 
led  him  to  be  regardless  of  those  precautions  that  pru 
dence  so  strongly  dictated.  He  had  seated  himself  upon 
the  stone  ns  coolly  as  if  surrounded  by  the  stockades  of 
a  well-garrisoned  fort,  without  once  turning  the  angle  of 
the  hill  to  see  if  any  one  were  approaching,  or,  for  that 
matter,  even  looking  behind  him.  From  the  spring, 
where  he  first  fastened  his  gaze,  his  eyes  gradually  turn 
ed  upon  the  little  run,  and  following  the  progress  of  a 
leaf  that  had  fallen  upon  the  water,  his  vision  gradually 
became  fixed  upon  the  beautiful  Hockhooking,  which  wag 
flowing  smoothly  pact. 

Here  his  whole  attention  was  fixed,  though  his  mind 
was  wandering  oft'  to  other  days  and  other  scenes,  when 
he  was  suddenly  startled  from  his  reverie  by  hearing 
light  steps  behind  him.  Grasping  his  rifle,  he  sprang  to 
his  feet,  and  wheeling  about  suddenly,  beheld  two  squaws 
within  a  few  feet  of  him,  both  having  turned  the  angle 
of  the  hill  unperceived.  He  had  just  time  to  perceive 
that  one  was  old,  and  the  other  young,  when  the  forme* 
uttered  a  low,  peculiar  whoop,  and  the  latter  a  short, 
sLarp,  startled  scream.  It  was  a  fearful  moment  of 
thought — for  well  he  knew  another  scream  would  bring 


17g  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

upon  tli em  a  whole  band  of  warriors  and  certain  death 
in  some  foim  or  other.  But  he  did  not  lose  his  presence 
of  mind,  even  under  this  terrible  surprise.  He  quickly 
resolved  that  both  must  die;  but  knowing  it  would  be 
fatal  to  the  little  hope  remaining  to  use  his  rifle,  he 
determined  on  inflicting  a  speedy  and  noiseless  death. 
The  Hockhocking  was  flowing  near,  its  waters  about 
breast  high,  and  drowning  was  the  first  mode  of  death 
that  suggested  itsell. 

All  these  thoughts  were  momentary,  and  ere  the 
echoes  of  the  first  startling  whoop  had  died  away,  Albert 
dropped  his  rifle,  and  bounding  forward,  caught  each  of 
the  squaws  by  the  throat.  To  drag  them  to  the  verge 
of  the  bank,  with  a  strength  almost  superhuman,  and 
plunge  ir^o  the  water  was  the  work  01  only  anotLei 
moment.  Beth  struggled  violently;  but  the  strength  of 
our  young  hero  was  more  than  equal  to  their  efforts  to 
escape,  or  to  raise  an  alarm  The  water  was  up  to  his 
waist,  with  a  current  so  strong  that  it  was  with  the 
greatest  difficulty  he  could  maintain  a  foothold;  but 
his  life  was  depending  on  his  exertion,  and  his  strength 
seemed  increased  to  the  power  of  a  Hercules.  In  a  mo 
ment  both  were  submerged;  but  instantly  the  younger 
raist.d  hei  head  above  the  water,  in  spite  of  all  his  ef 
forts,  though  too  much  strangled  to  scream  or  even  speak. 
The  old  woman  now  became  troublesome  in  her  death 
agories;  and  thinking  her  the  most  to  be  feared,  Albert, 
placing  one  hand  over  the  mouth  of  the  younger,  still 
kept  the  other  on  the  throat  of  the  former,  arid  her  head 
urder  water.  It  was  a  desperate  struggle,  and  the 
water  splashed  in  every  direction;  but  he  could  feel  that 
the  strength  of  the  old  hag  was  fast  growing  weaker,  and 
as  by  this  time  the  younger  had  partially  recovered,  he 
suddenly  slipped  his  hand  from  her  mouth  to  her  throat, 
and  the  next  instant  she  was  again  submerged  in  the 
liquii  element.  But  as  she  went  under  the  second  time, 
she  slipped  from  his  grasp,  and  floating  beyond  his  reach, 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  179 

raised  her  head  a  few  paces  below  him,  still  struggling, 
spurting  the  water  from  her  mouth,  and  grasping  for 
breath. 

By  this  time  Albert  felt  satisfied,  by  the  relaxed  ex 
ertions  of  the  old  woman,  that  she  was  too  far  gone  to 
cause  him  any  further  apprehensions;  and  letting  go  his 
grasp,  and  allowing  her  body  to  float  down  with  the  cur 
rent,  lie  threw  himself  flat  upon  the  bosom  of  the  stream, 
and  with  three  or  four  vigorous  strokes  of  his  muscular 
arms,  quickly  brought  himself  to  the  side  of  his  other 
victim.  Seizing  her  roughly,  he  was  just  in  the  act  of 
forcing  her  under  again,  and  for  the  last  time — for  now, 
having  but  one  to  contend  with,  there  was  no  probability 
he  would  Jet  her  come  to  the  surface  again  alive — when 
her  lips  parted,  tnd  the  word  "Albert,"  half  gasped,  half 
spoken,  was  tremulously  articulated. 

Had  the  river,  suddenly  vacated  its  bed  or  turned  its 
waters  m  a  contrary  direction,  our  young  hero  could  not 
have  been  more  astonished  and  awe-strur-k,  than  he  now 
was  to  hear  his  own  name  pronounced  by  a  young  squaw 
of  the  Ruror.s.  Dropping  his  hold,  he  partially  staggered 
back,  and  peered  eagerly  into  her  countenance.  Then  it 
was  an  expression  swept  over  his  own  features  impossi 
ble  to  be  described.  It  was  a  curious  mingling  of  horror, 
and  joy,  and  awe;  and  so  powerful  were  his  feelings, 
that  for  ?ome  moments  he  could  not  speak.  His  eyes 
half-starting  from  their  sockets,  were  riveted  upon  the 
object  before  him,  as  if  in  her  he  had  suddenly  discov 
ered  a  being  from  another  world.  At  length,  with  a  des 
perate  effort,  he  rather  gasped  than  said: 

"Merciful  God!  do  my  eyes  deceive  me?  or  is  this 
my  own  beloved  Fort-st  Rose? 

"Albert!  my  own  dear  Albert!"  was  the  half  faint 
ing-  response. 

"Ood  of  mercy,  it  is  so!"  the  young  man  almost 
shouted,  wild  with  excitement,  ard  the  same  moment 
his  arm  was  thrown  around,  and,  half  buried  in  the 


IkO  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

HicV  hocking,  she  was  again  strained  to  the  breast  of  him 

who  loved  her. 

Truly  it  was  a  strange  meeting,  after  a  long,  and 
as  each  had  believed,  a  final  separation. 

But  there  was  no  time  for  rejoicing  now;  though 
Albert  beside  himself  with  joy,  seemed  to  forget  the  dan 
ger  which  menaced  him  on  every  side,  and  might  have 
stood  for  minutes  in  speechless  rapture,  had  not  the 
voice  of  Rc?e  suddenly  recalled  him  from  a  mental  heaven 
to  a  tangable  earth. 

''Quick!  dearest  Albert,"  she  exclaimed,  hurriedly, 
"let  us  gain  the  shore  and  escape  while  we  may;  ere  the 
alarm  already  sounded,  prove  ».he  moans  of  surrounding 
u?  with  Indians,  and  cutting  off  our  retreat." 

"Yru  fire  right!"  cried  the  other,  starting,  and  look 
ing  wildly  around  him.  "I  had  forgotten  my  danger  in 
the  trar  sporting  joy  of  meeting  my  own  beloved  Forest 
Rose!  God  send  we  may  escape!  Quick!  quick!  there, 
we  are  upon'  land  once  more;"  and  as  he  spoke  both 
emergprl  fiom  the  water  upon  the  dry  bank.  "Follow  me 
and  not  a  word!"  pursued  Albert,  springing  forward  and 
grasping  his  rifle. 

"Which  way?  asked  Rose,  breathlessly. 
"Tc  the  mount!  to  the  mount!  Our  old  friend,  Lewis 
"Wet/el  is  there,  awaiting  my  return." 

Both  now  hurried  forward,  and  turning  the  angle  of 
the  projecting  hill,  struck  into  the  cover  of  the  thicket. 
Gliding  swiftly  forward,  but  at  the  same  time  with  as 
little  noise  as  possible,  they  had  gained  some  two  hun 
dred  va.-ds  from  the  spring,  when  both  were  startled 
with  a  long,  loud  peculiar  whoop,  coming  from  a  party  of 
Indians  behind  them,  and  echoing  afar  among  the  hills, 
•with  terrible  distinctness. 

'Oh,  God!  we  are  lost!"  groaned  Rose.  "That  is  the 
mournful  death  howl  of  the  Indians,  and  it  will  soon  be 
followed  by  the  terrible  war-whoop,  to  give  the  alarm 
of  danger.  I  understand  it  all.  A  party  of  hunters  who 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  181 

went  out  this  morning,  in  this  direction,  have  discovered 
the  body  of  the  old  woman.     There!  hark!" 

As  she  spoke  the  regular  war-woop  was  sounded, 
sure  enough:  and  ere  its  echoes  had  died  away,  it  was 
again  taken  up  by  some  stragglers  at  the  nearest  huts, 
and  again  at  the  village,  and  again  on  the  plain — each 
renewa1  increasing  the  appalling  sound  by  strength  and 
numbers,  till  more  than  five  hundred  throats  were  joined 
in  hellish  conceit. 

"Quick,  dearest!"  cried  Albert;  "quick,  Rose!  fly! 
fly!  our  only  hope  is  in  reaching  the  Standing  Stone  be 
fore  we  aie  surrounded.  Great  Gcd !  to  die  thus  at  last, 
with  happiness  just  within  our  grasp!  Oh,  it  is  terrible! 
terrible'"  and  throwing  an  arm  around  the  other's  wai?t, 
he  seemed  to  litterally  put  in  execution  his  command  to 
her  to  fly,  for  her  feet  scarcely  touched  the  ground,  as 
both  regardless  now  of  exposure,  strained  every  nerve 
to  reach  the  mount,  which  loomed  up  before  them  within 
the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 

Yell  upon  yell  now  resounded  from  the  plain,  and 
then  suddenly  all  became  silent  as  death. 

''Ah!  '  said  Rose,  "that  silence  is  portentous — for  by 
it  I  know  that  war  parties  are  dividing,  and  darting  off 
in  evory  direction.  There  is  no  escape,  dear  Albert!  but 
at  loast  we  may  die  together." 

""Which  I  a  thousand  times  prefer  dearest,  to  again 
being  separated."  was  the  affectionate  response.  "But 
wo  will  not  yield  life  without  a  struggle.  Here  we  are 
now,  al  the  base  ol  the  mount.  Heaven  grant  we  may 
roach  tne  summit  in  safety;  and  then  if  the  Indians  get 
my  scalp,  they  will  the  more  readily  prize  it,  as  coming 
from  one  who  made  it  cost  the  heart's  blood  of  many 
of  their  nation.  Quick,  Rose!  there!  plant  your  foot 
there!  now  seize  that  limb!  now  cling  to  me!  there,  there, 
bravely  d^ne,  we  are  ascending  fast;  a  few  minutes  mora 
and  wr>  rhall  join  the  old  hunter.  Hark,  that  shout,  shows 
that  the  Ir.dia.ns  are  behind  us;  they  have  surrounded  the 


l;<2  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

mountain,  but  press  on!  press  on!  Ah,  thank  God  here  we^ 
are  at  last,  nt  the  foot  of  the  precipice.  Ha!  I  see  Wetzel! 
he  is  reaching  us  a  pole.  Seize  it,  Rose  and  cling  to  it — 
never  mind  me!  Ah,  I  breathe  again!  here  we  are  at 
last:"  and  as  the  last  words  were  uttered  by  Albert,  he 
stood  upon  the  summit  of  the  rocks,  with  one  arm  thrown 
fondly  around  Rose,  and  panting  hard  from  his  exer 
tions. 

Wetzel  stood  just  before  him;  and  alternately  look 
ing  at  him  and  Rose,  he  at  last  exclaimed: 

"Is  this  here  a  apperition?  or  is  it  little  Rose  For 
ester  sure  enough?  T  see!  I  see  now!  it's  the  gal  herself; 
but  ef  I  know'd  her  in  that  squaw  toggery,  I  wish  I  may 

be blessed  I's  a  goin'  to  say.  Thought  you'd  cotch- 

ed  a  squaw  prisoner,  Albert,  and  no  mistake.  I'm  right 
glad  to  see  >ou,  gal;  for  Albert  here  has  took  on  about 
losin'  you  harder  nor  a  mule  can  kick;  but  I'm  powerful 
sorrj  you  come  jest,  at  the  time  when  we're  about  to  start 
on  our  last  trail — for 

"The  Indians!  the  Indians!"  interrupted  Albert, 
hurriedly. 

"Yes(  that's  jest  what  I's  a  goin'  to  say — for  the 
Injens  hey  got  us  this  time  whar  notbin'  can  save  us. 
Well,  we've  got  to  die  sometime;  so  I  s'pose  it  don't 
make  no  great  dirt'rence — only  I  bate  most  powerful  to 
gin  'cm  a  chance  tv  brag  'bout  baggin"  me  at  last." 

"You  think,  then,  there  is  no  hope,"  cried  Albert. 

"No  more  nor  ef  you  was  tied  to  a  stake,  and  had  a 
fiie  sot  around  ye.  Look  off  thar  on  the  plain,  and  you'll 
see  that  the  devil  himself  couldn't  git  past  sich  a 
crowd  as  is  gatherein'  around  us.  The  whole  mountain, 
is  surrounded  by  the  cussed  red  howlin.'  imps,  and  all 
we've  got  to  do  is  to  knock  over  as  many  as  we  can,  and 
then  knock  under  ourselves.  ' 

"Oh,  God!  this  is  terrible!"  said  Rose,  clinging- 
closer  to  Albeit;  "as  you  say,  to  die  at  the  very  moment 
of  (happiness!  But  then,"  she  added  quickly,  "we  cam 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  183 

-die  together,  dear  dear  Albert,  and  that  will  be  a  holy 
consolation. " 

"Nay,  Rose,"  returned  the  young  man,  again  strain 
ing  her  fondly  to  his  heart.  "I  have  been  thinking  that 
you  may  escapo.  There  is  no  escape  for  us,  it  is  true; 
but  why  should  you  die?  Life  has  its  attractions  for  all; 
a*id  it  is  cruel  to  sacrifice  your's  where  nothing  can  be 
gained.  I  perceive  by  your  dress  and  appearance  that 
you  have  been  adopted  into  the  tribe.  Go  back  to  th9 
Indiana,  and  say  you  have  bean  made  a  prisoner  by  the 
scouts,  but  managing  to  effect  your  escape,  they  will  be 
lieve  your  story  and  their  confidence  in  your  fidelity  be 
increased;  and  at  some  future  day  you  may  be  enabled  to 
reach  the  settlements,  where  you  will  report  that  Lewis 
'\V'et;;el,  and  Albert  Maywood.  died  as  heroes  should,  de 
fending  their  position  to  the  last  drop  ol'  their  heart's 
b^ood.  GJ,  dearest,  go!  and  God  Almighty  bless  and 
guard  you!"  and  Albert  pressed  bis  lips  hurriedly  to 
those  of  Hose,  and  gently  pushed  her  from  him,  as  if 
to  accelerate  her  movements  before  it  should  be  too  late. 

But  instead  of  complying  with  his  request,  Rose 
stood  as  one  alarmed  by  some  terrible  thought,  and  gazed 
.reproachfully  at  Albert,  who  felt  at  a  less  to  account  for 
this  singular  expression  of  her  features,  unless  it  might 
be  regret  at  leaving  him  behind  But  itme  was  pressing 
— for  already  the  Indians  were  ascending  the  eastern 
acclivity — ard  fearful  some  accident  might  happen  be 
fore  she  had  made  good  her  escape,  he  again  urged  her  to 
.go  vithout  delay.  Poor  little  Rose,  misconstruing  his 
motive,  burst  into  tears;  and  kneeling  upon  the  rocks, 
sl>e  bowed  her  head  forward  in  her  hands,  and  mur 
mured  : 

"Oh,  God!  let  me  die  where  I  am,  since  he  whom  I 
believed  true  loves  me  no  longer." 

"Rose!  Rose!"  rried  Albert,  "what  means  this? 
^Surely,  surely,  you  cannot  think  thus  basely  of  me!" 

"Do  you  then  love  me  still?"  inquired  Rose,  simply 


184  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

and  earnestly,  looking  up  through  her  tears. 

"Do  f  love  you,  dearest? — what  a  question  to  ask  at 
this  time9  How  it  pains  me  to  hear,  from  your  own 
sweet  lips,  you  doubt  me!  Do  I  ]ove  you  Ay,  better 
than  my  own  life,  since  I  would  give  my  heart's  blood  to 
make  you  happy. 

"Why,  then,  dear  Albeit,  do  you  send  me  from  you, 
never  to  meet  again  on  earth?" 

"Why,  that  you  may  not  perish — that  you  may  live 
to  escape. 

"And  do  you  think  I  want  to  live  when  you  are 
dead7"  rejoined  Hose  with  energy.  "Live!  why  should  1 
live  without  you?  I  have  no  friends  now — none  to  care 
for  little  Forest  Rose.  In  you,  dear  Albert,  is  centered 
my  whole  being;  and  if  God  has  decreed  that  you  must 
die,  oh!  I  beg  of  you,  as  the  last  favor  I  shall  ever  ask,  to 
let  me  die  with  you! — let  my  bones  whiten  with  yours! 
while  together,  hand  in  hand,  we  will  traverse  the  un 
known  spirit  lanO,  loving  on  forever.  Stir  from  here  I 
will  not,  till  you  grant  my  prayer,  even  though  I  stand 
a  Lreastv/ork  between  you  and  the  foes;  for  the  Indians 
are  alike  my  foes  and  yours;  and  return  to  them  alive  I 
never  will." 

God  bless  you  for  a  noble  girl?"  exclaimed  Aloert, 
extending  his  arms,  and  the  next  moment  clasping  them 
around  the  form  of  her  he  loved.  "We  will  die  together, 
since  you  so  wish  it — but  we  must  not  die  without  a 
struggle!  It  was  for  your  own  dear  sake  that  I  wished  to 
preserve  your  life,  but  since  you  prefer  death  with  me,  to 
life  without,  I  feel  that  I  can  throw  off  this  mortal  coil 
and  murmur  not.  But  oome,  Rose,  come!  for  the  present 
I  must  conduct  you  to  a  safer  spot,  so  that  I  can  have  the 
consolation  of  knowing  I  breathe  my  last  breath  in  your 
defense." 

'Give  me  a  rifle,"  said  Rose,  resolutely,  "  and  I  will 
prove  to  you  that  I  have  not  lived  eighteen  months 
among  the  savages  for  nothing." 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  185 

Nay,  talk  not  thus,  dearest;  for  every  moment  lost 
Is  an  age  of  delay.  Quick!  follow  me!''  and  Albert  hur 
ried  over  the  rocks  toward  the  retreat  that  had  served 
himself  and  companions  for  their  night  encampments. 

"Ay,  hurry  away  with  the  gal —  hurray  away  with 
the  gal!"  said  Wetzel.  who  had.  during  the  conversation 
of  the  lovers,  been  watching  the  movements  of  the  In 
dians;  "for  whatsomever  powder  we  burn  will  hev  to  be 
burnt  right  sudden;  for  yonder  the  sneakin'  cusses  come, 
dodgin'  about  amongst  the  trees  and  rocks  down  yonder, 
as  ef  thai-  miserable  lives  was  wuth  as  handsome  as  them 
o'  two  white  gintlemen.  Ha!  thar's  one  pokiu'  his  nose 
too  nigh  by.  Up,  old  Killniger,  and  gin  him  thunder!" 

The  last  word  was  drowned  in  the  sharp  crack  of  a 
rifle,  followed  by  a  yell  of  agony;  and  the  adventurous 
savage,  who  had  partly  scaled  the  precipice,  rolled  down 
the  hill,  a  hundred  feet,  mortally  wounded  by  a  ball 
which  had  been  guided  on  its  mission  of  death  by  the  uu- 
crrirg  eye  of  a  true  old  marksman.  A  moment  of 
breathless  stillness  succeeded  the  cry  of  the  wounded  In 
dian,  and  then  arose  a  succession  of  terrific  savage  yells, 
which,  beginning  near  the  base  of  the  precipice,  spread 
away  on  every  hand,  completely  t-ur rounding  the  mount, 
echoing  among  the  more  distant  hills,  and  making  the 
welkin  rine;  with  sounds  worthy  of  a  pandemonium. 

The  first  blood  had  been  drawn — the  contest  was 
truly  begun. 

CHAPTER  XVIII 

Five  Hundred  Against  Two. 

Scarcely  had  the  savage  shouts  died  away,  when 
Albert,  having  seen  Rose  safely  in  her  retreat,  rejoined 
hi?  companion,  for  the  purpose  of  making  good  the  de 
fense  as  long  at  is  might  be  possible  for  two  human  be 
ings  to  hold  out  against  five  hundred  war-trained,  blood 
thirsty  savages.  He  found  the  old  hunter  standing  be 
tween  two  high  rocks,  which  guarded  his  person  on  two 
sides,  and  completely  concealed  him  from  the  Indians  on 


IS 6  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

his  right  and  left  flank.  Tn  fact  there  was  no  place 
where  the  savages  could  now  bring  their  rifles  to  bear 
upon  him,  save  directly  in  front;  and  even  to  do  this, 
they  must  climh  the  rocks  and  make  a  foothold  before 
they  could  shoot;  and  this,  too,  in  the  face  of  his  own 
deadly  weapon,  which  was  not  likely  to  remain  idle, 
wiiile  its  owner  was  being  put  in  such  jeopardy.  Wetzel 
had  improved  the  passing  moments,  since  discharging  his 
rifle,  to  reload  it;  and  now  he  stood  with  the  barrel  of  it 
resting  in  the  hollow  of  his  left  arm,  his  right  hand  upon 
the  breech  nnd  his  right  foot  thrown  a  little  back,  ready 
to  prove  its  fidelity  upon  the  next  Indian  who  might 
have  the  temerity  to  follow  the  example  of  the  first  by 
shoving  hir.  painted  face  above  the  precipitous  accent  in? 
front. 

"What  of  the  attack?"  inquired  Albert,  as  he  took 
his  place  alongside  of  AVetzel,  his  own  rifle  put  in  posi 
tion  for  immediate  use. 

"  "D'ye  hear  old  Killnigger  here  speak  to  'em?"  re 
plied  Wetzel,  giving  vent  to  a  low  half  stifled  chuckle. 
"Thunder!  you  oughter  bin  here,  Master  Albert  and  seed 
that  dtir  devil  roll  down  the  rocks,  all  doubled  up  like  he' 
had  the  belly-ache!  It  was  the  purtiest  sight  I've  seen 
for  many  a  day;  and  it  done  me  a  heap  o'  good  to  plug 
him  plum  center.  1  jest  tell  ye  what  'tis,  Master  Albert, 
and  I  can't  help  it- — though  I'll  hev  to  allow  it  arn't  in 
the  common  order  o'  things — but  I've  bin  so  long  cooped 
up  her?,  without  doin'  nothin',  liko  a  squirrel  in  a  cage, 
that  1  like  the  fun  o'  knockin'  over  some  o'  these  greasy 
cus:-es,  jest  to  keep  my  hand  in  to  the  last.  Ef  we  only 
had  fifteen  or  twenty  good  old  Injen  fighters  here  now, 
to  man  every  port  o'  these  rocks,  the  red  niggers  mought 
work  away,  and  be to  'em,  till  they  got  tired  on't." 

•'But  do  you  really  think  there  is  any  chance  for  us 
to  escape""  inquired  Albert,  anxiously. 

Wetzel  coolly  turned  his  eyes  up  toward  the  sun, 
which,  now  a  little  past  the  meridian,  \vas  shining: 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  187 

torightly  down  between  two  floating  clouds,  and,  after 
considering  for  a  moment  or  two,  deliberately  replied. 

'Why,  ef  several  things  should  come  to  pass,  which 
it  ain't  much  likely  they  will,  we  mought  git  off  with 
two  scalps  on  our  heads  and  one  on  the  gal's,  making 
three  in  all." 

"Well,  what  must  take  place  to  render  this  pos 
sible?' 

'Why,  in  the  tirst  place,  the  sun's  more'n  f  ve  hours 
.above  the  horizon;  and  till  it  gits  down  out  o'  sight,  two 
white  sintlemer.,  as  looks,  for  all  humin  natur',  exactly 
line  me  and  you,  hev  got  to  keep  five  hundred  o'  the 
/meanest,  cownrdest,  greasiest  lookin'  set  o'  Satan's  imps, 
as  ever  the  Lord  made,  from  gittin'  on  these  here  rocks 
and  sp'ilin'  our  handsomes.  Ef  we  can  do  this,  and  the 
night  dor't  cloud  up  too  much,  it's  maybe  we  can  sneak 
down  and  get  away  'atween  sun  and  sun.' 

"But  do  you  really  think  we  can  hold  out  till  night, 
my  friond?" 

"You  mean  ef  I  think  so  honestly?" 

'I  do." 

"Well,  then,  I'll  say,  honestly,  I  don't.  I  wouldn't 
give  that  (snapping  his  finger)  for  our  chance  o'  gettin* 
a\vay.  No,  no,  Master  Albert,  our  time's  come  now,  and 
no  mistake;  and  all  that's  left  us  is  to  do  our  duty  like 
\vhitp  giiitlemen,  and  not  disgrace  our  edication  and 
raisin.'  I  fec-1  powerful  sorry  for  the  gal.'*  pursued 
Wet/el,  "and  I'd  a  felt  much  better,  ef  you'd  a  made  out 
to  hev  persuaded  her  to  go  back  to  the  Injens;  though  I 
can't  say  f  think  she's  got  much  the  worst  on't,  seein' 
they're  sich  a  powerful  meat;  set  o'  devils;  but  then  I 
hate  most  desperate  to  see  her  with  us,  so  young  and 
innocent  like  " 

'V  is  terriblo:"  groaned  Albert. 

"E:y-tho-by.  I  forget  to  ax  ye  how  you  come  to  find 
jher  I  hardly  know'd  her  at  first,  with  htr  colored  ^kin 
that  used  to  be  so  white,  and  ner  dress,  as  is  real  squaw 


188  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

lujen  all  over." 

"I  will  tell  you  all  another  time,  that  is  if  God 
permits  us  to  escape,"  replied  Albert,  hurriedly.  "But 
look  yonder!"  and  Albert  pointed  down  the  eastern  side 
of  the  precipice.  "See!  the  Indians  are  skulking  about 
amor<g  che  rocks  and  trees,  and  we  may  prepares  our 
selves  for  a  more  desperate  attack." 

"Let  'em  come/'  rejoined  Wetzel  as  calmly  as  if  he 
were  examining  the  movements  of  a  herd  of  deer.  "Let 
'em  come!  The  first  red  ripseallion  as  shows  his  head 
above  the  rocks,  will  be  powerful  apt  to  git  the  contents 
of  o'd  Killnigger  into  him." 

An  emulous  silence  succeeded  this  last  remark  of 
the  old  woodsman,  during  which  both  he  and  his  com 
panion  kept  their  gaze  riveted  on  the  only  point  where 
it  was  believed  the  savages  could  ascend  the  precipice 
on  which  they  stood.  At  the  end  of  the  rock,  flanking 
the  right  of  our  scout?,  a  cluster  of  bushes  had  struggled 
up  through  a  deep  fissure,  which  served  to  scieen  them 
from  the  observation  of  the  Indians,  as  the  latter  glided 
round  in  front  on  the  hill  below,  while  it  left  the  savages 
exposed  to  view  of  our  scouts — though  the  distance,  and 
uncertainty  of  hitting  their  mark,  prevented  them  from 
firing.  Moment  followed  moment  and  still  the  silence 
was  as  profound  as  if  the  forest  contained  not  a  single 
human  being.  Rut  our  scouts  felt  that  this  stillness  was 
like  that,  which  precedes  the  tempest,  or  the  opening  roar 
of  battle.  From  their  knowledge  of  the  Indian  charac 
ter,  they  knew  that  the  savages  were  not  idle,  but  pre 
paring  to  give  them  a  deadly  surprise;  and  the  longer  the 
silence,  the  more  fearful  were  they  of  its  being  broken, 
at  length,  by  the  victorious  war  whoop.  At  last,  caution 
ing  Wetzel  not  to  turn  his  eyes  from  the  front,  Albert 
stepped  back  a  few  paces,  to  be  sure  that  none  of  the  en 
emy  had  effected  a  lodgment  behind  their  position — al 
though  from  his  knoweldge  of  the  rocks  he  believed  such 
a  th.'ng  next  to  impossible,  without  the  aid  of  artificial 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  189 

mear.s,  which  he  well  knew  the  savages  had  not.  Peering 
carefully  around  the  outer  angle  of  the  eastern  rock,  he 
discovered,  to  use  a  nautical  phrase,  that  the  coast  was 
cl^ar.  Satisfied  with  his  scrutiny,  'he  was  just  on  the 
point  of  rejoining  his  companion,  when  accidentally 
raising  his  eyes  above  the  level  of  his  head,  he  iuvolun- 
tjrir.lly  started,  and  his  features  grew  a  shade  more  pale, 
while  his  grasp  tightened  on  his  rifle. 

A  few  rods  distant  from  the  precipice,  a  tall  pine 
had  shot  up  some  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  above  the  high 
est  poirt  of  the  mount,  entirely  free  from  limbs  for  some 
two-thirds  of  the  whole  length.  Close  against  the  body 
of  this  tree,  OP  the  opposite  si-le  to  Albert,  supported  by 
the  first  crotch,  and  almost  entirely  concealed  by  the 
foliage  of  a  limb  projecting  toward  our  young  hunter, 
was  a  dark  object,  which  the  quick  eyes  of  Albert  readi 
ly  detected  to  be  an  Indian.  During  the  silence  he  had 
been  steathily  climbing,  taking  his  rifle  with  him;  and 
at  the  moment  when  Albert  looked  around  the  angle  of 
the  rock,  he  had  just  reached  his  present  position;  when, 
perceiving  the  young  hunter  he  suspended  his  operations 
and  remained  immovable,  in  the  hope  of  escaping  obser 
vation. 

From  where  our  gallant  scouts  had  been  standing, 
it  "was  impossible  to  discover  The  Indian,  owing  to  the 
hi;ight  of  the  rock  on  that  side;  and  his  intention  clearly 
was  to  ascend  to  a  point  whence  he  could  lock  down  on 
the  hunters,  and  pick  one  of  them  off  with  a  fatal  aim. 
A{  this  moment,  as  if  aware  this  bold  design  was  in  dan 
ger  of  being  frustrated,  the  savages  below  made  some 
slight  demonstrations  in  front,  as  if  to  attract  the  atten 
tion  of  the  scouts  in  that  direction.  But  if  such  was 
their  object,  it  failed  with  Albert.  He  saw  at  a  glance 
the  narrow  esca.pe  himself  and  companion  had  made, 
in  feeling  themselves  too  secure  against  an  attack  in 
their  rear;  nnd  he  was  resolved  not  to  withdraw  his  gaze 
even  for  a  moment,  from  the  tree,  till  he  had  rid  it  of 


190  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

so  dangerous  an  enemy.  But  a  very  small  portion  of  the 
body  of  the  savage  was  visible,  and  this  so  shaded  by  in 
tervening  foliage  as  to  render  it  an  uncertain  shot  for 
the  very  best  marksman;  and  in  consequence,  Albert 
stood  irresolute  for  a  moment,  whether  to  fire  or  retreat 
behind  the  rook  and  await  a  more  favorable  opportunity. 
But  while  considering,  he  mechanically  raised  his  rifle 
to  h?s  eye,  and  glanced  along  the  barrel  At  the  same 
moment  a  cloud  moved  along  between  him  and  the  sun 
and  made  the  light  favorable  to  a  certain  aim.  The 
chance  seemed  too  good  to  be  thrown  away,  for  it  was 
doubtful  if  he  ever  could  get  a  better,  and  he  pulled  the 
trigger.  Crack  went  the  rifle;  and,  bounding  clear  from 
the  tre^,  with  a  horrible  yell  of  pain  and  rage,  the  savage 
made  several  evolutions  in  his  descent,  and  striking  his 
head  at  last  upon  a  rock,  dashed  out  his  brains  at  a  spot 
near  where  some  of  his  companions  were  concealed, 
watching  the  success  of  his  daring  adventure.  At  the 
same  instant  the  rifle  of  the  old  hunter  belched  forth  its 
deadly  contents,  and  another  savage,  who  had  ventured 
to  peer  above  the  rocks  in  front  of  Wetzel,  rolled  howling 
down  the  rugged  pathway. 

A  general  yell  of  rage  and  dismay  now  arose  from 
more  than  a  hundred  throats  at  the  foot  of  the  precipice 
on  the  eastern  side,  and.  being  taken  by  others  more 
distant,  again  made  the  welkin  ring  as  with  the  orgies 
of  fiends  Maddened  to  furry  at  the  failure  and  death 
of  their  companions,  and  knowing  that  the  rifles  of  the 
scouts  must  iion  be  empty,  some  fifty  Indians  rushed 
forward  in  a  body,  and  attempted  to  clamber  up  the 
rock  together.  But  numbers  only  increased  the  difficulty 
oi1  ascent  and  caused  a  delay  which  enabled  Wetzel  and 
Albert  to  be  asain  prepared  to  give  them  a  warm  recep 
tion. 

"Don't  let's  waste  no  more  powder  nor  is  necessary," 
said  Wetzel,  coolly,  stopping  to  pick  up  a  good  sized  stone 
that  lay  at  his  feet.  "Now  keep  your  eye  skinned,"  he 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  191 

added,  as  he  crept  stealthily  forward,  "and  be  sure,  ef  t 
miss  tbe  first  red  nigger  as  shows  himself,  to  drap  him 
right  sudden  yourself." 

Having  delivered  himself  of  this  peculiar  caution,  he 
continued  his  progress  in  silence,  till  within  a  couple  of 
feet  of  where  the  Indians  were  climbing  up  one  after 
another;  then  suddenly  raising  himself  to  his  feet,  he 
hurled  the  stjise  with  all  his  might  upon  the  heads  of 
those  below.  Had  a  cannon  hall  swept  down  there,  it 
would  have  failed  to  clear  the  path  much  sooner  than  did 
this  missile  of  the  old  hunter.  Fairly  striking  the  head 
of  the  foremost,  it  crushed  in  his  skull  and  spattered  his 
brains  or.  those  below;  and  then,  impelled  downward  by 
its  weight,  and  the  impetus  given  it  by  two  muscular 
arms,  it  rolled  with  fearful  velocity  from  one  to  another, 
crushing  and  mangling  whatever  it  touched  having  ani 
mal  life.  Surprised,  bruised  and  terrified,  the  foremost 
savages  let  go  their  hold,  and  falling  back  upon  their 
companions,  the  whole  party,  yelling  and  screeching, 
went  tumbling  down  together,  like  so  many  footballs,  till 
their  progress  became  checked  by  the  trees  and  rocks 
wci^h  they  spotted  with  their  own  blood. 

T\etzel  ventured  to  peep  over  the  precipice  (me  mo 
ment,  to  learn  the  success  of  his  experiment;  and  then 
hurrying  back  to  Albert,  he  threw  himself  down  upon  the 
rock,  and  rolling  over  and  over,  with  his  hands  cl-jsped 
on  his  sides,  indulged  himself  in  a  hearty  fit  of  merri 
ment,  that  threatened  to  unfit  him  for  any  further  ser 
vice — actually  breaking  out  into  roars  of  laughter,  but 
.•ittle  less  far  reaching  than  the  yells  of  his  enraged  ene 
mies. 

"The  cusses,"  he  cried,  as  soon  as  he  could  get 
breath  enough  to  speak;  "jest  to  see  'em  tumblin'  one  on 
top  o'  t'other,  and  t'other  on  top  o'  one,  clar  down  to  the 
bottom!  '  And  again  he  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  in  a 
roar  that  would  have  done  no  dis«redit  to  a  wounded 
buffalo. 


192  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

"Is  this  a  time  to  laugh?"  returned  Albert,  rather 
indignantly,  who  could  see  nothing  to  excite  his  mirth, 
while  his  dearlv  beloved  Rose  was  in  danger. 

ttartin  it  is,"  replied  Wetzel,  taking  a  sitting  pos 
ture,  with  h-'s  hands  crossed  over  bis  knees,  and  giving 
Albert  a  serio-comic  look.  "Sartin  it  is  a  time  to 
laugh,  and  the  only  maybe  I'll  ever  hev;  for  it's  my  opine 
that  when  them  thar  devils  git  over  the  flurry  that  that 
thar  rock  put  'em  into,  we'll  hev  a  powerful  short  zime 
to  say  our  prayers  in.  Wonder  what's  their  opine  o'  how 
a  white  gintlemen  can  handle  a  rock?  Oh,  it  was  enough 
to  make  a  bar  laugh,  jest  to  see  how  they  piled  them 
selves  up  down  thar,  arter  I  trapped  that  thar  last  ar 
gument  for  thar  partikelar  edification." 

Here  Wetzel  indulged  in  another  long  convulsive 
fit  of  n'errirapnt;  and  then,  thinking  it  time  to  be  again 
in  readiness  for  a  new  onset,  he  rose  to  his  feet,  seized 
his  riflo,  and  resumed  his  former  position  of  defense. 

Again  a  long,  portentious  silence  prevailed,  during 
which  nothing  could  be  heard  but  the  rustling  of  the 
withering  leaves,  as  a  light  breeze  from  the  west  stole 
through  the  forest.  An  hour  had  elapsed  since  the  first 
attack  upon  our  scouts,  and  still  they  had  been  able  to 
maintain  their  position,  which  was  certainly  more  than 
they  hc.d  counted  on  doing  an  hour  before,  and  gave  them 
a  faint  hope  that  they  might  possibly  hold  till  night. 

Another  hour  rolled  away,  and  although  they  had 
been  constantly  on  the  watch,  not  a  living  being  had 
they  seen.  There  was  something  awful  in  the  long  sus 
pension  of  hostilities — something  far  more  terrifying 
than  an  actual  combat — for  now  the  mind  had  nothing 
to  distract  it  from  their  appalling  situation,  and  imag 
ination  was  free  to  conjure  up  a  thousand  horrors.  The 
effect  of  this  suspense  began  to  be  visible  even  on  the 
intrepid  Wet/el  .  His  features  had  assumed  a  sullen 
gravity- -his  dark  eyes  wandered  from  object  to  object, 
with  a  restlessness  uncommon — his  grasp  tightened  on 


THE  FOREST  ROSE,,  193 

his  rifle— his  breathing  grew  slightly  irregular — while 
cold  drops  of  perspiration  stood  on  his  immovable  fea 
tures.  Albert  appeared  calm;  but  it  was  the  solemn 
?Tielancholy  calmness  of  one  who  was  looking  death  in 
the  face  and  mentally  preparing  himself  for  the  last 
great  change.  All  color  had  forsaken  his  features,  and 
even  his  compressed  lips  were  bloodless.  Still,  there  was 
no  foolish  trepidation — no  cowardly  fear  apparent.  He 
might  die;  but  his  whole  appearance  betokened  one  who 
would  die  as  became  a  hero. 

"I  don't  like  it,"  said  Wetzel,  at  length,  drawing  a 
long  breath.  "This  here  kind  o'  fightin'  whar  a  feller's 
got  nothin'  to  do,  is  the  worst  kind  o'  fightin'  out.  Now 
anybody  that  know'd  nothin'  about  Injens  might  think, 
may  be,  as  how  they'd  drawed  off  to  let  us  alone — but  we 
Know  better.  They're  up  to  some  infernal  devilment, 
which  we'll  be  powerful  apt  to  hear  on  when  we  least 
expect  to  Well,  ef  they'd  only  come  along,  and  let  u£ 
hev  the  wust  on  it;  but  this  keepin'  a  couple  o'  white 
gintlemen  cooped  up  her  to  fool  away  thar  time,  is  out 
rageous.  ' 

"They  know  we  can  not  escape,"  returned  Albert, 
•'and  so  with  a  species  of  refined  cruelty,  they  deliberate 
and  carry  out  their  plans  coolly,  leaving  us  to  a  sus 
pense  worse  a  hundred  times  than  actual  death.  But  I 
v/ill  go  and  seek  Rose — for  she  must  feel  terribly,  poor 
girl!  In  fact,  I  wonder  she  has  remained  so  long  in  quiet 
— though  I  earnestly  requested  her  not.  to  stir  from  her 
hiding  place  till  I  gave  her  permission." 

"Wflll,  I  can't  stand  this,"  rejoined  the  old  hunter, 
"'for  I'd  a  powerful  sight  rather—  " 

"Hist!"  interrupted  Albert,  in  a  whisper,  touching 
Ms  shoulder  and  silently  pointing  toward  the  southern 
end  of  the  precipice,  or  that  opposite  the  regular  place  ot 
ascent. 

Wetzel  turned  his  eyes  in  that  direction,  and  from 
the  center  of  a  cluster  of  bushes,  which  grew  upon  th« 


194  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

very  edge  of  the  eastern  side  of  the  rocks,  fancied  he  saw 
the  dark  eyes  of  a  savage,  gleaming  like  those  of  a  pan 
ther.  Glad  of  any  excuse  to  relieve  the  tedium  of  mo 
notonous  suspense,  he  brought  his  rifle  to  his  eye,  with 
the  air  of  or.e  who  was  merely  about  to  sight  for  amuse 
ment;  and  instantly  the  echoes  of  the  forest  were  awak 
ened  by  a  sharp  report,  followed  by  a  yell  of  agony,  as  a 
savage  bounded  up  from  his  cover,  and  plunged  headlong 
down  the  precipice.  The  usual  yells  of  rage  and  dismay 
next  succeeded  from  the  companions  of  the  wounded  In 
dian;  and  to  the  surprise  and  almost  consternation  of  our 
scouts,  three  more  athletic  warriors  started  up  from  the 
same  cover,  and  discharging  their  rifles  at  our  spies,  hap 
pily  without  effect  gave  the  appalling  war-whoop,  and, 
flourishing  thoir  tomahawks  above  their  heads,  rushed 
down  upon  them. 

But  OMT  gallant  hunters  were  prepared  to  receive 
them.  Deliberately  raising  his  rifle  to  his  eye,  Albert 
shot  the  foremost  directly  through  the  heart;  and  as  he 
fell  back  upon  the  next  behind,  hoth  our  friends  sprang 
forward  for  a  hand-to-hand  combat.  But  it  was  of  only 
momentary  duration.  Bounding  to  the  side  of  the  sec 
ond  savage,  as  he  was  in  the  act  of  disengaging  himself 
from  his  dead  companion,  Albert  raised  his  tomohawk  at 
the  same  time  with  the  Indian;  but  being  quicker  in 
motion  than  his  antagonist,  he  managed  to  elude  his  Dlow 
and  bury  his  own  weapon  in  the  other's  head.  Wntzel 
was  alike  successful.  A  perfect  demon  when  fighting 
savages,  he  sprang  forward  with  a  yell  of  fury,  like  a 
tiger  bounding  upon  his  prey,  fairly  gnashing  his  teeth 
and  foaming  at  the  south,  and  seizing  the  uplifted  arir» 
that  held  a  tomahawk,  he  suspended  the  blow,  while  he 
plunged  his  knife  to  the  very  haft  in  the  Indian's  heart. 
Then  drawing  it  forth,  he  caught  the  latter  by  the  scalp 
lock,  and  running  his  knife  around  the  crown  tore  off  the 
scalp,  and  with  a  vigorous  kick  sent  the  bloody  carcass 
down  the  rocks. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  195 

It  i?.  uaeless  to  think  of  conveying  to  the  reader  any 
thing  more  than  a  faint  idea  ot  the  scene  of  savage  rage 
that  followed  the  reception  of  the  scalpless  carcass  by 
ihe  Indians  wno  were  standing  near  the  base  of  the 
rocks  where  it  fell.  Yall  upon  yell,  more  hideous,  if  any 
thing,  than  any  our  scouts  had  before  heard,  greeted  its 
descent;  and  scarcely  had  these  begun  to  subside,  when 
the  two  others,  alike  scalpless,  were  hurled  after  it  by 
Wetzel,  as  if  in  defiance.  This  was  more  than  savage 
nature  could  stand;  and  rushing  to  the  spot  where  their 
late  companions  had  ascended,  by  means  of  the  trunk  of 
a  tree  which  had  been  placed  against  the  mural  surface 
of  the  rocks,  they  strove  to  clamber  up. 

Meantime  the  savages  in  front  bad  not  been  idle. 
While  the  fight,  which  we  have  recorded,  and  which  was 
only  momentary,  had  been  going  on,  several  swarthy 
figures  had  effected  a  lodgment  on  the  top  of  the  preci 
pice;  and  our  gallant  scouts  were  first  warned  of  the 
fact  by  a  simultaneous  discharge  of  five  or  six  rifles,  the 
balls  of  which  came  whizzing  past,  threee  of  them  act 
ually  cutting  the  clothes  of  Albert — who  at  that  moment 
was  the  only  one  exposed — Wetzel,  just  in  the  act  of 
hurling  down  the  scalpless  bodies  of  the  Indians  before 
noticed,  being  concealed  by  the  rock  forming  the  east 
ern  sido  of  the  pass. 

"To  cover!  to  cover'"  shouted  Albert.  "One  more 
desperato  resistance  before  we  are  silenced  forever!"  and 
seizing  Wetzel's  rifle,  he  bounded  to  the  side  of  the 
western  rock,  where  he  was  immediately  joined  by  the 
other.  "Quick!"  pursued  our  young  hero,  "quick,  Wet 
zel;  load  these  rifles  while  I  guard  this  outlet;"  and  he 
took  hi"  station  close  to  the  opening  of  the  rocks  through 
which  the  savages  must  pass  to  get  at  him. 

Fortunately,  the  good  foresight  of  Colonel  Martin 
tad  supplied  him  with  a  brace  of  pistols;  and  drawing 
these  from  bis  belt,  he  stood  ready  to  shoot  down  the 
first  who  should  project  his  body  beyond  the  angle  of  the 


!96  -THE  FOREST  ROSE 

rock..'  He  had  not  .long  to  await  a  trial  of  their  efficiency; 
for,  believing  they  had  now  nothing  to  do  but  rush  for 
ward  and  overpower  their  victims  with  numbers,  the  In 
dian.,,  dropping  their  fire-arms  as  useless,  sprang  for 
ward,  with  exulting  yells  of  savage  delight.  But  their 
tu-ne  was  sonn  changed  to  one  of  wailing  and  dismay; 
for  the  first  two  that  bounded  through  the  opening  were 
shot  dowi!  instantly;  and  at  the  same  moment,  another 
savage,  who  was  jast  iu  the  act  of  clambering  over  the 
verge  of  the  precipice  on  the  eastern  side,,  received  the 
content?  of  "Wctzel's  reloaded  rifle  and  fell  back  on  his 
companions. 

The  report  of  three  pieces,  where  they  had  supposed 
but  two,  and  neither  of  these  loaded,  struck  a  thrill  of 
dismay  into  the  hearts  of  the  superstitious  Indians,  al 
most  equal  to  what  would  have  been  ca,used  by  the  ex 
plosion  of  a  bomb  in  their  midst.  Either  the  white  men 
must  bo  so  sorcerers,  they  reasoned,  or  else  their  num 
bers  were  far  superior  to  what  they  had  believed  them 
to  be.  In  either  case  greater  caution  than  they  had 
hitherto  displayed  in  an  attack,  seemed  requisite  to  suc 
ceed;  and  hastily  retreating,  so  as  to  cover  themselves  by 
the  opposite  ends  of  the  rocks  already  frequently  men 
tioned,  the  party  on  the  precipice  called  a  hurried  coun 
cil  of  war,  during  which  they  were  joined  by  as  many 
from  below  as  could  find  foothold  on  their  limited  por 
tion  of  the  summit  of  the  Standing  Stone. 

This  was  a  cessation  of  hostilities  not  to  be  neglected 
by  our  scouts,  and  every  moment  was  improved  in  get 
ting  themselves  in  readiness  for  a  new  onset.  Hurriedly 
reloading  their  rifles  and  pistols,  and  managing  to  get 
hold  of  two  more  pieces  which  had  belonged  to  the  slain, 
they  reloaded  these  also,  and  then  sought  out  the  best 
point  to  station  themselves  for  a  last  resistance.  They 
soon  discovered  a  place  near  the  southern  end  of  the  rocks 
where  they  could  command  the  whole  front,  and  where 
they  would  be  perfectly  secure  against  the  rifles  of  the 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  1»7 

Indians,  till  the  lotter  should  reach  a  little  open  space 
'to  thoir  left — but  which  could  only  be  done  by  passing 
singly  between  two  rocks,  where,  for  a  moment,  a  small 
portion  of  each  one's  person  must  be  exposed — or,  bf 
clambering  over  the  rock,  which  would  leavo  them  more 
exf.oc.od  still.  Here  they  were  resolved  to  sell  their 
lives  dearly,  'all  hopes  of  escape  having  long  since  expi*- 
'ed:  for  they  could  only  leava  their  present  position  di 
rectly  in  thf-  face  of  their  foes  who  now  commanded 
the  whole  northern  part  of  the  precipice. 

"Alas'  Rose,"  said  Albert  in  a  low. tone,  for  he  wa« 
now  within  a  few  feet  of  where  he  had  concealed  the  idol 
of  his  affections,  but  whom  he  had  not  since  ventured  t» 
visit;  "Alas'  Rose,  there  is  10  hope  for  us  now!  Say 
your  prayers,  clearest,  and  be  ready  to  join  me  in  the 
spirit-land.  Pray  for  me,  also,  will  you,  loved  one?  foif 
in  the  heat  of  strife,  I  shall  have  no  time  to  think  of  the 
spirit's  flight." 

To  this  affectionate  and  mournful  appeal  there  wa» 
no  response;  and  after  listening  for  a  few  momentt, 
Albert  again  spoke. 

"Rose!  Rose!"  he  called;  '"why  don't  you  answer 
me?  Rose,  my  own  Forest  Rose,  speak!  or  I  shall  fan«y 
something  terrible  has  happened  to  you." 

Still  no  answer. 

"Great  Heaven!"  exclaimed  the  terrified  lov«r, 
"pernaps  she  is  dead!  murdered  by  these  hellish  savages! ' 
and  regardless  of  the  risk  he  ran,  he  started  from  hie 
place  of  defense,  and,  leaping  over  the  rocks,  spraae 
down  into  the  retreat  where  he  had  left  her. 

Biit  she  '.vas  nowhere  to  be  seen. 

•'Gone!  gone!"  he  cried,  wringing  his  hands  in  age- 
ny,  as  ho  peered  under  the  rock,  and  over  the  brow  of  the 
precipice,  half  in  fear  and  expectation  of  beholding  her 
lovely  form  lying  mangled  on  the  stone  below.  "Ah!" 
he  said  mjurnfully,  as  a  new  thought  crossed  his  mind; 
"I  see  it  all  now!  Poor  Rose!  the  thought  of  death  was 


198  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

too  much  for  thee,  and  thou  hast  rejoined  the  Indians, 
that  thy  life  may  be  spared  a  few  years  longer.  Well, 
well,  perhaps  it  is  for  the  best;  though,  &omehow,  the 
thought  of  dying  with  thee  had  come  to  be  a  pleasant 
one.  Well.  God  bless  thee,  dear  one,  and  let  thee  live  on 
to  thy  appointed  time!  Thou  wilt  find  another  perhaps, 
jshould'st  thou  escape,  more  worthy  of  thee  than  I;  tho' 
thou  wilt  never — no  never — find  one  to  love  thee  so 
truly  and  devotedly.  Farewell,  Rose!  and  if  my  memory 
is  worth  a  tear,  oh,  shed  it  above  my  remains,  that  they 
may  be  hallowed  by  an  angel's  regard!" 

"This  soliloquy  of  Albert  was  here  closed  by  the 
sharp  crack  of  a  rifle  and  the  loud  yells  of  infuriated  sav 
ages, 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Mysterious  Marksman. 

While  Albert  was  searching  for  Rose,  the  council  of 
the  Indians  closed,  with  the  decision  to  make  a  new  onset 
upon  their  intended  victims,  and  forthwith  they  proceed 
ed  to  put  their  design  in  execution.  Gliding  stealthily 
betweon  the  rocks,  to  the  number  of  some  eight  or  ten, 
they  suddenly  sprang  through  on  the  other  fide,  where 
they  still  believed  the  scouts  were  concealed,  when,  to 
their  surprise,  they  discovered  that  the  latter  were  gone. 
Knowing  they  could  not  have  quitted  the  mount,  at.  least 
by  any  natural  agency,  they  eagerly  commenced  search 
ing  for  them  among  the  rocks  and  bushes;  but  at  the  same 
time  most  warily,  so  as  not  to  be  taken  too  much  by  sur 
prise  themsehes.  In  this  search,  one  or  two  of  them  un 
consciously  got  within  the  range  of  Wetzel's  rifle;  and 
the  old  woodsman,  never  failing  to  improve  an  opportu 
nity  for  lessening  the  number  of  his  enemies,  took  a  de 
liberate  aim  and  pulled  the  trigger.  An  athletic  young 
savage  bounded  up  some  four  feet  and  fell  back  a  corpse, 
and  his  death-yell  was  re-echoed  by  the  others,  who  press 
ed  forward  to  the  spot  where  they  had  seen  the  smoke 
ascend,  in  the  hope  of  conquering  at  last  by  a  coup  de 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  199 

main. 

Fearful  for  the  fate  of  himself  and  friend  by  his 
own  imprudence,  Albert  now  strove  to  recover  the  ad 
vantage  he  had  lest  by  a  daring  movement.  Leaping 
boldly  from  his  covert  upon  the  rocks,  in  full  view  of  the 
yelling  savages,  he  darted  before  their  astonished  eyes 
like  a  meteor,  and  the  next  moment  amid  a  shower  of 
rifle  bullets,  which  flew  harmlessly  past  him,  he  gained 
a  position  by  the  side  of  the  old  hunter,  and  again  seized 
his  well-tried  rifle.  This  feat,  though  a  most  dangerous 
one  to  practice,  proved  in  the  end  cf  infinite  advantage  to 
our  friends.  The  simultaneous  discharge  of  their  fire- 
arm0,  now  left  the  savages  exposed  to  a  bolder  aim  from 
our  scouts,  who  failed  not  to  improve  so  important  an  op 
portunity.  Stepping  from  their  ambush,  both  leveled 
their  rifle?  and  fired  at  the  same  moment,  and  two  of  the 
foremost  fell  mortally  wounded.  This  alarmed  the  oth 
ers,  who  turred  and  fled  in  confusion,  with  the  exception 
of  two.  who  loth  to  .'eave  their  companions  in  the  power 
of  the  enemy,  ran  up  to  them,  and  stooped  down  to  raise 
the  bodies.  V.  et/el,  divining  their  intention,  sprang  back 
a  couple  of  paces,  caught  up  the  other  rifle  and  shot  one 
of  them  through  the  head.  Uttering  a  terrible  yell  of 
dismay,  the  other  bounded  away  and  disappeared;  while 
Wetzel,  bent  on  following  up  his  good  fortune,  though  at 
a  fearful  risk  to  himself,  whipped  out  his  knife,  flew 
over  the  rocks,  and  in  less  time  that  it  has  taken  us  to 
record  the  del,  actually  scalped  the  wounded,  within  full 
view  of  more  than  fifty  savages,  and  rejoined  his  com 
panion  unharmed,  bearing  with  him  three  more  fire 
arms.  These  latter,  however,  on  examination,  turned 
out  to  be  entirely  worthless. 

By  this  time  the  Indians  had  become  disheartened 
to  a  degree  that  would  never  have  been  thought  possible, 
considering  their  number  and  those  of  our  scouts.  Five 
hundred  against  two!  ''What  an  absurdity, ".says  the 
reader,  "to  think  of  the  stronger  party,  and  these,  too, 


:2oo  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

well-trained  savage  warriors,  being  disheartened  in  their 
attempts  to  overpower  the  weaker."  But  of  what  use 
were  numbers  where  numbers  could  not  be  employed  to 
advantage.  The  position  of  our  scouts  was  such,  that 
only  one  could  approach  them  at  a  time,  in  a  way  to  dis 
lodge  them;  and  against  one  the  rifle  of  one  was  just  as 
good  as  five  hundred  against  five  hundred.  Perhaps,  in 
the  whole  Western  country,  at  that  period,  no  other  place 
could  have  been  found,  either  natural  or  artificial,  where 
\fvo  men  could  have  kept  at  bay  such  a  host  of  warriors 
for  siifh  a  length  of  time  Had  it  been  a  fort,  the  latter 
could  have  scaled  the  walls,  demolished,  or  burn  it — but 
here  they  seemed  to  labor  in  vain.  More  than  two 
hours  had  elapsed  since  the  commencement  of  the  siege, 
and  yet  the  scouts  were  if  anything  more  secure  than 
(ever;  vhlle  on  their  part  some  ten  or  twelve  of  their 
bravest  warriors  had  been  killed  outright,  and  several 
others  disabled  by  serious  wounds. 

But  iust  in  proportion  as  the  Indians  felt  disheart 
ened  in  i.hcJr  attempts  to  dislodge  our  heroes,  just  in  that 
proportion  rose  the  spirits  of  the  latter.  Their  success 
so  far  iu  defending  themsel/es  had  exceeded  their  most 
sanguine  expectations;  and  the  last  retreat  of  the  enemy, 
at  the  very  moment  when  they  were  about  to  give  up  all 
for  lost — a-;ir!  only  held  out  that  they  might  die  in  their 
tracks,  without  being  taken  prisoners,  rather  than  with 
any  expectation  of  proving  victorious — this  last  retreat 
of  the  enemy,  \ve  say,  under  such  circumstances,  served 
to  inspire  them  with  a  confidence  and  hope  they  had  not 
experienced  since  the  first  veil  of  the  foe  had  warned 
them  that  their  visit  to  the  country  was  known. 

"Ef  we  can  only  hold  out  a  two  hours  longer,  it's  my 
•opine  vre  can  cheat  the  yellin'  hell-hounds  out  o'  our 
•scalps -yit,  '  observed  Wetzel,  looking  up  at  the  Min  and 
•cloucK  , 

"But  is  ir  possible  for  us,  in  the  first  place,  to  hold 
out  two  hours  "  inquired  Albert. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  201 

"Why,  T  don't  know  anything  why  we  shouldn't.  ,a»- 
d  the  other.  ''You  see  thar's  a  good  many  things 
in  our  favor  jest  now.  In  the  first  place,  we've  heldxout 
two.. hours1,  and.  more,  right  again  the  most  powerful  sar- 
cumventijnf  of  the  hull  body  o'  the  red  ripscallions;  and 
what's  more  on  our  side,  we've  picked  too  many  scalp- 
feathers  off  o'  thar  greasy  pates  to  make  'em  too  car'less 
'bout  whac's  left.  Now  ye  see  the  great  pint  is,  we've 
made  'em  car'ful;  and  that's  one  o'  the  greatest  thi,ng» 
for  us  as. could,  a  happened;  for  as  long's  they're  car'ful, 
we're  safe;  tho  only  way  to  git  us  out  o'  here  bein'  to- 
rush  on  one  arter  t'other  till  we  wouldn't  hev  time  to 
load.  Pat  ip  doin',  this,  ye  see,  the  cusses  know  as  how 
it'll  be  sartin  death  to  the  firet  five  or  six;  aim  as  long's 
they  really  think  that's  the  case  wer'e  purty  tolerable 
safe;  for  the  bravest  greasy  face  'mongst  'em  is  a  pow- 
ertul  coward,  when  it  comes  to  runnin'  right  again  a 
sartin  builet.  No,  ye  see,  they'll  be  tryin'  again  to  sneak 
around  anr!  sarcuvent  us;  and  ia  doin'  this  they 
•give  us  time;  and  afore  they  know  it  it'll  be 
night.  But  what's  better  for  us  nor  all  the  rest,  they 
bolievre  it's  onpossible  for  us  to  git  away  no  how;  and  by 
guardhr  the  mountain  close  they're  sure  to  starve  us  out; 
•so  they  won't  be  powerful  apt  to  run  no  more  personal 
risks  nor  they  can  conveniently  help." 

"Again.'  said  Albert,  "provided  we  hold  out  till 
night,  do  you  think  we  can  pass  the  sentinels  without,  be 
ing  detected?" 

''Well  thar's  whar  I  think  the  tight  place  comets, 
arter  all  "  renamed  the  other.  "Bf  it  should  happen  to 
be  light  enough,  so  as  we  could  tell  a  red  nigger  from  a 
tree  six  fo^t  off,  I  think  it's  maybe,  with  great  car'  we 
mouglit — though  I'll  hev  to  allow  it'll  be  powerful  on- 
sartin  business  even  then;  but  ef  it  should  cloud  up  and 
rain,  and  br  dark  as  the  d — 1— jest  as  I  think  it's  goin' 
to  be — we  hain't  got  much  chance;  for  we'll  be  more  like 
to  run  plum  gin  some  cuss,  nor  we  will  to  miss  the  hull 


202  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

on  'em." 

"Oh,  would  to  God  that  Rose  had  remained  with  us, 
since  there  is  even  a  bare  hope  of  escape!"  said  Albert, 
despondingly.  "Strange  that  she  should  depart,  without 
even  a  farewell.  Ah,  me!  siuce  I  know  she  lives,  should 
I  ever  escape  myself,  T  shall  be  more  miserable  than  ever, 
till  she  be  set  free  from  these  accursed  beings.  But  how 
to  accomplish  it  is  more  than  I  can  tell  at  present,  un 
less  WP  can  ransom  or  lie  in  wait  and  entrap  her,  for  it 
would  be  impossible  to  take  her  by  force  from  a  nation 
that  has  five  hundred  warriors  ready  for  battle." 

"Well,  well,  let  us  sit  upand  git  away  first  and  talk 
o'  that  arterwards,"  observed  Wetzel.  "To  git  cl'ar  of  these 
hell-hounds  is  the  most  important  matter  to  be  thought 
on  now.  I'm  powerful  sorry,  as  things  hev  turned  out, 
that  the  gal  left,  on  your  account;  but  it  can't  be  helped: 
and  I  '.spcse  she  kr-ow'd  he.1  own  business  best — least 
wise  she'd  oughter." 

The  conversation  here  dropped  again,  and  Albert 
relapred  into  that  stern,  melancholy  mood  which  had 
characterized  him  since  the  first  attack  of  the  savages. 
From  their  present,  position,  concealed  as  they  were 
from  theii  foes  in  front,  by  a  breastwork  of  stone,  and 
a  denre  cluster  of  shrubbery,  it  was  impossible  for  the 
Indians  on  the  precipice  to  dislodge  them,  only  in  the 
manner  in  which  Wetzel  had  pointed  out  to  his  com 
panion;  and  as  this  would  be  attended  with  a  certain 
loss  oi  some  five  or  six  lives,  it  was  not  likely  to  be  at 
tempted  for  the  present;  though  the  utmost  vigilance,  or. 
the  part  of  the  scouts,  was  requisite  to  guard  against  a 
sudden  surprise-.  But  although  so  well  protected  in  front 
they  soon  discovered  they  were  far  less  secure  than  they 
had  thougnt  themselves,  should  an  attack  in  the  rear  and 
front  be  made  simultaneously.  Theii  position  was  on  the 
very  verge  of  the  southern  side  or  end  of  the  Standing 
Stone.  Behind  them,  to  the  right  and  left,  were  a  couple 
or  rock?,  that  would  shield  them  from  the  oblique  aim 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  203 

of  any  one  below;  but  between  these  rocks  was  an  open 
ing  that  left  their  persons  completely  exposed  whenever 
they  kept  upon  the  safest  point  to  protect  themselves 
from  an  attack  in  front.  For  a  hundred  feet  below  them, 
the  descent  was  perpendicular,  and  then  the  remainder 
of  the  distance  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  was  somewhat 
sloping — though,  for  a  considerable  way  hardly  enough 
so  to  render  an  ascent  to  the  foot  of  the  rocks  on  which 
they  .stood  an  easy  matter.  But  from  nearly  every  point 
of  the  hill  they  could  conceal  themselves;  in  fact,  there 
was  but  one  spot,  within  rifle  distance,  from  which  it 
was  impossible  to  interpose  a  barrier  between  themselves 
and  a  rifle-bullet.  The  point  alluded  to  was  a  high  rock, 
which  rose  out  of  the  bed  of  a  ravine,  at  the  distance  per 
haps  of  a  hundred  yards.  Around  the  base  of  this  soli 
tary  rock,  on  every  side,  flourished  a  thicket  of  hazel,  so 
dense  that  a  human  being  might  lie  concealed  in  it  and 
not  be  detected  by  another  at  the  distance  of  half  a  dozen 
feet.  The  summit  of  this  rock,  which  rose  high  above  the 
banks  of  the  ravine,  commanded  the  position  of  our 
scouts;  and  a  keen  marksman,  standing  upon  it,  could 
easily  pick  them  off,  one  at  a  time; — more  especially,  if 
a  fierce  attack  from  the  top  of  the  precipice  should  pre 
vent  them  from  retreating  behind  the  rocks  before  men 
tioned  as  standing  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  rear  center. 

A  spot  so  advantageous  for  a  rear  attack  could  not.  oC 
course  oe  long:  kept  from  the  knowledge  of  an  enemy  so 
well  skilled  in  warfare  as  the  Hurons;  and  the  moment 
our  scouts  perceived  it,  which  they  did  soon  after  the 
close  of  the  last  conversation,  they  felt  their  hopes  sink 
somewhat  in  thf  proportion  they  had  risen  a  few  min 
utes  before. 

"It's  a  powerful  ugly  thing,"  observed  Wetzel,  look-^ 
ing  toward  it,  and  speaking  the  thoughts  uppermost  lix 
his  ;nind;  "it's  a  powerful  ugly  thing,  and  takes  off  s± 
good  deal  from  our  chance  o'  safety.  ' 

"Is  it  possible,"  replied  Albert,  who  felt  loth  to  re^ 


2f  4  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

linquish   the  In.pe  of  escape   he   had   before   entertained; 
"is  it  possible,  you  know  that  the  savages  may  not  at 
tempt-  a  -front  and  rear  attack  at  the  same  time;  and  if 
they  (\c.  not,  we  are  safe  against  either." 

..•"Don't,  >ou  believe  it,  Master  Albert.  Jest  let  the 
aeamps  alone  for  any  devilment  as  may  turn  up.  Ef  they 
don't  diskiver  that  now,  they  hain't  Injens,  and  hain't 
got  -as  much  sense  as  a  terrier  pup.  No,  no  —  don't  go 
for  to  think  they  won't  diskiver  it,  and  do  the  dirty 
tMng  o'  takin'  on  us  on  both  sides  at  onc't  —  case  ef  you 
do.  you'll  be  powerful  disappointed,  that's  all." 

.  "And  it  they  do,  is  there  no  way  to  ward  off  the 
blov;':" 

.  "It  von't  be  no  blow,"  answered  the  other,  who  put 
a  literal  construction  on  the  question  of  his  companion. 
"No,  no  —  it  won't  be  no  blow  —  it'll  be  a  regular  shoot, 
jou  :-nay  depind;  and  the  skunk  as  fires  '11  :hev  to  know 
soniethin'  'bout  burnin'  powder  at  that  to  hit  his  mark  at 
this  here  distance. 

"Put  can  we  not  interpose  a  barrier  between  us  and 
**e  rock?" 

•;.  "Ir.rejpese  the  d  —  1!  '  replied  the  other.  "Whar  be 
we  to  git  tne  rocks  and  things  to  do  it  with?  No  ,no— 
all  the  barrier  we  can  interpose  '11  be  a  rifle-bullet  in  the 
h«acl  o'  the  first  cuss  as  shows  his  greasy  face  up  thav." 

"Well,  well,  at  all  events,  we  will  do  the  best  our 
circumstances  will  permit  —  and  lor  the  .rest  we  must 
trust  to  Providence,"  rejoined  Albert,  gloomily. 

.For  another  hour  our  scouts  remained  unmolested, 
and  then,  pointing  to  the  rocks  before  him,  Wetzel  ob- 


"Git  your  rifie  ready,  lad,  for  the  Injens  is  a  comin' 
agin;  and  from  all  I  know  on  'em,  I  'spect  it'll  be  power 
ful,  warm  work." 

Albert  looked  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the  other 
and  perceived  the  truth  of  his  companion's  words.  The 
Indians  v.-ere  approaching,  sure  enough  —  but  with  great 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  205 

caution,  and  keeping  as  much  as  possible  behind  the 
rocks,  so  as  not  to  be  exposed  to  a  fatal  aim.  At  length 
having  reached  the  avenue  through  which  only  one 
could  pas-:  at  a  time  to  reach  the  open  space  where  they 
could  easily  dislodge-  the  scouts  they  suddenly  darted  for 
ward,  in.  the. hope  of  getting  through  unharmed. 

But  in  this  they  were  mistaken;  for  both  our  scouts 
stood  ready;  and  the  instant  a  small  portion  of  the  tody 
of  the  foremost  became  visible  to  the  eye  of  Wetzel,  Mb' 
finger  pressed  upon  the  trigger  of  his  never-failing  rifle. 
The  report,  end  the  yell  Of  the  wounded  savage  together, 
awoke  the  echoes  of  ;the  mount,  and  reverberated  among 
the  mory  distant  hills  with  startling  distinctness.  Noth-  ; 
ing  daunted,  -ipparently,  by  this,  the  savage  next  behind 
pressed  forward,  in  the  hope  of  being  more  successful, 
and  received  tne  contents  of  Albert's  rifle  in  his  abdomen. 
A  third  and  a  fourth  made  the  attempt  with  like  success; 
tor  the  moment  our  scouts  had  discharged  their  own. 
pieces  they  caught  up  those  they  had  taiven  from  the 
enemy,  and  fired  them  in  quick  succession. 

Had  a  few  more  savages  instantly  attempted  the  pass 
they  would  hive  been  successful,  and  the  contest  would 
have  been  speedily  decided,  for  the  remaining  arms,  in 
the  possession  of  our  friends,  as  we  have  before  said,  we're 
of  little  account — being  old,  condemned  muskets,  which 
the  Indians  bad  probably  been  cheated  into  buying  from 
the  \vhite  traders  of  the  Canadas — and  time  would  have 
been  wanting  for  our  scouts  to  reload  those  on  which 
they  could  depend;  but  fortunately  for  the  latter,  the 
ravages  did  not  Vnow  this;  and  the  loss -of  four  of  theif- 
bravest  warriors,  in  quick  succession,  produced  a  terrible 
consternation  among  the  others,  and  caused  a  check  to 
their  progress,  long  enough  to  enable  our  gallant  friends 
lo  ram  home  two  more  cartridges.  „  t . 

Finding  ;their  efforts  to  succeed  .so  far  had  totally 
failed,  two  of  tne  most  daring  of  the  party  •  now  threw 
themselves  flat  upon  the  lower  rock,  and  attempted  ,lo 


206  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

crawl  through  the-  opening;  while  the  others  set  up  a  ser 
ies  of  horrible  yells,  for  the  purpose  of  directing  the  at 
tention  of  tho  scouts  from  this  maneuver;  and  justice 
compells  us  to  say  it  was  on  the  point  of  being  a  success 
ful  one;  for  anticipating  a  renewal  of  the  attack  in  the 
usual  manner,  cur  scouts  were  looking  only  for  the  up 
right  body  of  an  Indian  for  a  target,  and  mistook  the  dark 
mass  lower  down  for  a  shadow  of  the  rock,  which  it  re 
ally  resembled;  but  chancing  to  give  it  a  moment's  atten 
tion,  Wfiti.el  fancied  he  «aw  it  move;  and  perfectly  fa 
miliar  with  Indian  stratagem,  the  truth  flashed  upon  Him 
at  once.  To  s'ght  his  r'fle  and  discharge  it  was  the  work 
of  a  single  instant;  and  to  his  great  delight,  but  not  con 
trary  to  his  expectations,  a  savage  sprung  up  with  a  howl 
of  pain,  and  darted  back  to  his  companions. 

At  tho  same  moment  that  Wetzel  fired,  Albert,  who 
had  often  during  the  attack  cast  furtive  glances  toward 
the  isolated  rock  already  mentioned,  now  looked  again  in 
that  direction,  and,  to  his  great  dismay,  beheld  the  swar 
thy  figure  of  an  Indian  creeping  from  the  thicket,  and 
preparing  to  leap  upon  it  from  the  highest  point  of  the 
bank  of  the  ravine.  It  was  a  painful  moment  to  him;  for, 
should  the  savage  reach  the  rock,  it  would  be  certain 
death  to  both  Wetzel  and  himself — as  the  Indian  could 
easily  hide  on  the  other  side,  and  while  the  attention  of 
the  scouts  was  directed  to  the  front  attack,  could  pick 
them  off  with  a  deliberate  aim;  while  on  the  other  hand, 
should  he  venture  to  fire  upon  the  savage  before  his  com 
panions  rifles  were  again  reloaded,  there  was  an  equal 
chance  of  a  renewed  attack  in  front  being  successail  It 
was  an  almost  hopeless  case,  take  it  which  way  he  would; 
but  there  was  no  time  for  deliberation,  and  so  his  resolu 
tion  was  quickly  formed. 

Bidding  Wetzel  make  all  the  haste  he  could  he  step 
ped  quickly  behind  the  rock,  and  resting  his  rifle  upon  it, 
shaded  the  sight  with  his  hand,  and  drew  a  bead  upon  the 
small  portion  of  the  Indian's  body  that  was  visible 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  207 

through  the  thicket.  Although  the  distance  was  a  full 
hundred  yards,  Albert  now  felt  certain  that  his  aim  "would 
tell ;  and  holding  his  breath,  under  a  peculiar  excitement, 
he  pulled  the  trigger.  Down  came  the  hammer  upon  the 
pan,  but  instead  of  the  report  he  expected  to  hear,  the 
flint  was  crushed  into  a  dozen  fragments,  and  the  rifle 
remained  undischarged. 

Ah!  fatal  accident!"  murmured  Albert,  as  he  delib 
erately  proceeded  to  adjust  another  flint — although  he 
well  knew,  from  the  posture  of  the  Indian,  that  he  would 
spring  and  reach  the  rock  before  this  could  be  effected. 

He  had  just  succeeded  in  getting  the  second  flint  se 
cured,  and  was  in  the  act  of  running  his  eye  along  the 
barrel,  when  the  Indian  made  a  desperate  spring;  but,  in 
stead  of  reaching  the  rock,  to  the  surprise  of  Albert,  he 
leaped  some  ten  feet  into  the  air,  and,  uttering  a  yell  of 
agony,  feli  back  upon  the  bank,  and  rolled  over  and  over 
until  he  reached  the  bottom  of  the  ravine,  where  he  re 
mained  motionless,  as  if  dead.  At  the  same  moment,  the 
report  of  a  rifle  reached  him,  and  a  light  smcke  curled 
upward  from  the  thicket  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  ruck. 
Here  Avas  mystery  indeed!  The  Indian  had  met  his  death 
by  an  unknown  hand;  but  who  it  was  that  had  given  this 
friendly  aid,  was  more  than  Albert  could  divine. 

But  no  time  was  given  him  for  speculation  on  the 
subject;  for,  at  the  instant  the  report  reached  him  from 
below  the  crack  of  Wetzel's  rifle,  which  had  been  reload 
ed,  warned  him  of  the  danger  close  at  hand.  Turning 
suddenly  around  his  eye  accidentally  caught  sight  of  the 
head  of  a  savage  peering  above  the  rock,  through  the  bush 
3s  at  the  point  to  the  right,  already  mentioned  as  the  one 
to  which  the  Indians  had  made  access  by  the  trunk  of  a 
tree.  Without  a  moment's  hesitation,  he  sighted  his 
rifle  as  if  to  siioot  a  flying  deer,  and  fired.  The  usual 
yell  of  agony,  accompanied  with  the  sudden  disappear- 
of  the  head,  told  him  unequivocally  that  he  had  not  miss 
ed  his  mark. 


208  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

Th  Indians  now  drew  off  for  another  consultation; 
rnd  the  sun  v-as  almost  flown  ere  they  returned  to  the  at 
tack;  which  they  did  at  last/with  fnore  fury  than  c»-er, 
determined  to  succeed,  even  at  a  heavy  sacrifice  of  life. 
But  our  scouts  had  meantime  reloaded  all  their  weapons; 
and  as  fast  as  one  made  his  body  visible,  he  received  the 
leaden  messenger  of  death,  and  fell  back.  Four  were  thus 
shot  down  in  almost  as  many  seconds;  but  still  otners 
pressed  forward;  and,  as  their  best  weapons  had  given 
out,  our  scout's  how  felt  that'  their  time  bad  truly  come. 
Five  stalwart  savages,  the  bravest  of  the  band,  now  dart- 
ed  through  the  opening,  one  after  the  other,  and  stood 
-upon  the  open  space  in  full  view.  Believing  the  worst 
of  the  dai.ger  over,  each  one  flourished  his  tomahawk, 
and  all  sprang  forward  in  a  bodj,  uttering  yells  of  tri 
umph  . 

Suddenly  the  thought  of  the  discarded  muskets  oc 
curred  to  Wetzel;  and  instantly  seizing  them,  he  handed 
one  to  Albort,  and,  in  a  tone  of  voice  scarcely  less  savage 
tlian  ihe'r  own,  shouted: 

'Gin  'em  h — 1!" 

It  reeded  no  second  prompting  for  Albert  to  do  his 
best,  and  cocking  the  musket  with  his  thumb,  while  his 
fore  finger  rested  on  the  trigger,  he  discharged  it  full  in 
ijie  breast  of  the  foremost  Indian,  who  was  just  in  the 
act  ot  hurling  his  tomahawk  at  his  head.  The  savage 
bounded  ur  some  four  feet,  and  fell  back  upon  his  com 
panion,  fairly  gnashing  his  teeth  with  disappointed  ven 
geance  Wiitzel  fired  at  the  same  moment,  with  equal 
success,  and  clubbing  his  rifle,  with  a  howl  of  fury  that 
might  be  likened  to  that  of  a  madman,  he  struck  the  third 
savage  over  the  head  with  its  breech,  actually  beating 
out  his  brains  with  a  single  blow  on  the  spot  where  he 
stood.  Albert,  not  to  be  behindhand  in  the  fray,  threw 
his  musket  at  the  fourth,  drew  a  pistol,  bounded  up  to 
him.  and,  quick  as  lightning,  shot  him  through  the  breast. 
The  remaining  savage,  amazed  and  terror-struck  at  what 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  209 

he  had  witnessed,  made  no  demonstration  of  violence,  hut 
timed  with  a  yell,  and  bounded  over  the  rocks,  as  fast  as 
his  legs,  impelled  byfear  could  carry  him.  At  the  same  mo 
ment  Albert  chanced  to  look  toward  the  rock  below,  and 
beheld  anothei  savage  just  in  the  act  of  leaping  upon  it. 
J5ut  lie  could  do  nothing  now,  for  not  a  single  rifle  Avas 
loaded;  and,1  touching  Wetzel  on  the  shoulder,  he  silently 
pointed  to  the  dangerous  object.  Both  fixed  their  eyes 
upon  the  savage,  and 'at  that  moment  he  made  the  leap. 
Moro  successful  than  his  predecessor,  he  fairly  landed  up 
on  the  rock;  but  his  triumph  was  of  short  duration;  for 
ere  he  had  taken  a" step  forward,  he  suddenly  sprang  up 
some  two  feet,  arid  turning  a  backward  somersault,  plung 
ed  headlong  down  into  the  ravine.  Again  a  light  smoke 
exactly  as  before,  was  seen  curling  upward  from  the  bush 
es,  and  the  sound  of  a  rifle  reached  the  ears  of  our 
friends,  together  with  the  yells  of  an  hundred  savages 
further  down  the  hill,  who  had  witnessed  the  fall  of  one 
renowned  in  exploits,  the  Inciian  brave,  Ogwehea. 

Who  c;m  he  lhat  mysterious  marksman,"  observed 
Albert,  "to  \\  horn  we  have  twice  been  indebted  for  our 
lives?  Can  it  be  possible  that  there  is  another  white 
hunter  so  near  us?  or  that  we  have  an  unknown  friend 
union  g  the  savages?" 

"Thar  vou  have  me."  replied  Wetzel,  "for  you've  axed 
a  question  as  I  can't  answer.  But  whomsoever  he  is  .red 
skin  or  white,  he  11  find  one  white  gintleman  in  this  coon 
as  won't  forgit  him  in  a  hurry.  But  look!  we're  saved!" 
f.nd  Wetzel  pointed  to  the  West,  where  the  sun  was  just 
letting  behind  a  heavy  cloud,  whose  upper  edges  were 
beautifully  belttd  with  gold. 

"Ah.  yes,  \ve  are  saved!  would  to  God  that  Rose  were 
with  us!"  was  the  mournful  response  of  Albert,  as.  lean 
ing  upon  his  rifle,  he  gazed  sadly  toward  the  West,  and 
"orusned  a  tear  of  grief  and  gatitude  from  his  eye. 


2l0  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

The  Lost  One  Found. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

The  surmises  of  our  scouts,  that  the  Indians  would 
make  no  further  attack  upon  them  that  night,  proved 
correct;  and  when  they  exclaimed  that  they  were  saved, 
laey  had  especial  reference  to  this  only;  for  well  they 
knew  the  danger  that  must  still  attend  them,  should  they 
attempt  to  descend  the  mount,  and  pass  the  guard  that 
completely  surrounded  it.  Still  it  was  a  great  relief  to 
know  that  they  could  have  a  few  hours  of  security,  in 
which  to  rest  from  the  fatigues  and  excitement  of  the 
day,  and  mature  their  plans  for  subsequent  proceedings. 
"It  is  a  goin'  to  be  a  bad  night  for  us,  Master  Al- 
liert  "  observed  the  old  hunter,  carefully  examining  the 
heavens.  "It's  a  goin'  to  do  jest  what  I's  afeared  it  would 
do,  cloud  up  as  dark  as  a  stack  o'  black  niggers.  Well, 
we  must  do  the  best  we  can;  and  ef  we  git  captur'd  at 
last,  it  won't  bo  no  more'n  we  counted  on  for  sartin  some 
hours  ago." 

"1  cannot  think,"  rejoined  Albert,  "that  we  have  bean 
!*o  minculously  preserved  through  the  dangers  of  the  day, 
10  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Philistines  at  last — it  seems 
almost  against  reason  Oh,  that  Rose  were  here  now!'" 
he  exclaimed,  with  a  sigh,  seating  himself  upon  a  rock, 
and  bowing  his  forehead  upon  his  hand. 

"Poor  t'elier!"  muttered  Wetz,el,  "that  thar  gal  bus 
iness  '11  be  the  death  on  him  yit.  Now,  ef  it  was  me,  and 
she  wanted  to  run  away,  as  she  did  from  him,  I'd  jest  let 

her  go,  and  be to  her.     I  hain't  got  much  belief     in 

women,  nohow;  and  the  woman  as  fools  me  once't,  has 
done  .iome'thin'  she  can  t  dc  over  again,  ef  she  tries  all 
her  Iti'e.  Now,  I'll  bet  a  powder  horn  again  a  gun-flint, 
that  thar  same  gal  has  fell  in  love  with  some  big,  greasy, 
red  nigger;  and,  arter  throwin'  sand  in  Albert's  eyes,  and 
makin'  him  think  as  how  she  still  loves  him,  she  jest  up 
nnd  gone  back  to  t'other — else  what  did  she  make  such 
a  powerful  fuss  about  his  wantin'  her  to  go  back  for?  and 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  211 

arter  agreein'  to  stay  and  die  with  him,  put  out  the  min 
ute  he  got  his  back  turned  on  her!  Women!  poh!  thar 
never  ougbter  bin  none  on  'em  made;  for  they're  jest 
good  for  nolhin'  but  to  torment  a  white  gintleman's  life 
out  OTL  him,  that's  a  fact." 

While  uttering  or  rather  grumbling  out  this  solil 
oquy,  "VVetzel  had  been  steadiy  at  work  reloading  hi3 
rifles;  and  as  soon  as  the  last  charge  was  rammed  home, 
he  took  his  scat  on  the  same  rock  with  Albert,  a  few  feet 
distant,  and  silently  contemplated  the  heavens.  By  this 
time,  the  sun  had  fairly  set,  and  deepening  shadows  of 
twilight  were  fast  spreading  over  plain  and  forest,  and 
giving  to  objects  that  vague,  misty,  indistinct  appear 
ance  peculiar  to  the  shutting  in  of  night,  or  the  opening 
of  day.  The  cloud  behind  which  the  sun  had  set,  was 
gradually  rising  above,  and  spreading  along  the  horizon, 
while  the  clouds  of  lesser  magnitude  were  floating  about 
*n  the  heavens — but  slowly  gathering  together,  and  as 
similating — betokening  that  ere  long  a  heavy  pall  would 

be  spread  oetween  the  earth  and  the  stars,  and  every 
ray  of  light  which  mortal  eye  is  formed  to  distinguish  be 
cut  off.  From  the  heavens,  Wetzel  turned  his  gaze  to 
earth;  and  rising,  he  approached  the  front  of  the  Stand 
ing  Stone,  and  looked  down  upon  the  plain  that  lay  im 
mediately  beneath  him.  Here  he  occasionally  perceived 
a  du^Ky  figure  stalking  about  in  the  uncertain  light — 
fend  presently  rould  faintly  distinguish  parties  of  war- 
j  iors,  at  a  greater  distance,  returning  to  the  village  from 
the  unsuccessful  attack  upon  himself  and  companion — 
not  unfrequently  bearing  with  them  dark,  heavy  mo 
tionless  objects,  which  he  rightly  conjectured  were  the 
bodies  of  their  Companions  who  had  fallen  in  the  strife. 
Half  an  hour  passed  away,  and  by  this  time  the 
light  had  «o  faded,  that  no  portion  of  the  plain  was 
visable;  but  looking  down  from  the  height  on  which  he 
stood,  it  appeared  like  a  dark,  bottomless  gulf.  Return 
ing  to  his  comuanion,  he  said: 


212  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

"Come.  Albert,  U's  time  that  we  was  beginning  tc 
lay  our  ->lans,  even  ef  we  don't  put  'em  in  practice  for  an 
hour  to  come  " 

Albert,  who,  during  the  period  mentioned,  remain 
ed  as  we  have  described  him,  with  his  head  bowed  upon 
his  band,  lost  in  a  painful  reverie,  now  looked  up.  as 
one  suddenly  awakened  from  sleep,  .and  sighing  heavily, 
replied1  ,.  • 

1  scarcely  care  what  becomes  of  me  now,  my  friend, 
since, she.  whom  I  believed  would  be  true  under  all  cir 
cumstances,  lus  «een  nrppey  to  forsake  me  in  the  hour 
of  peril." 

"Nay.  lad,  this  here's  right  down  foolish,"  rejoined 
the  other,  'and  not  a  bit  like  what  you  oughter  be.  Come 
come,  never  mind!  Ef  the  gal's  found  anybody  as  she 
likes  better,  let  her  go.  -  Thar's  plenty  other  gals  in  the 
world  as  good  as  she  is,  ef  you  only  think  so;  but  ef  it 
was  my  case.  '  wouldn't  hev  nothin'  .to  do  with  none  on 
'em;  for  thar  ain't  no  more  gratitude  nor  love  in  'em,  nor 
thar  is  in  oO  many  painters." 

"Talk  not  thus,  Wetzel- — talk  not  thus!  '  was  the 
mournful  but  rather  energetic  response;  "for  you  know  • 
not,  my  friend,  how  your  worcs  harrow'up  my  feelings! 
I  may  bear  up  agninst  the  thought  that  Rose  is  dead,  or 
that  we  are  separated  never  to  meet  again'  'on  earth— -for 
this  I  have  borne — though  not  without  deep  sorrow,  I 
will  admit:  but  the  thought  that  she  has  proved  untrue 
to  me-*-that  she  has  voluntarily  forsaken  me  for  an 
other  bus  broken  her  plighted  faith — -I  could  not  en-  • 
dure  and  long  survive.  Call'  me  foolish,  if  you  will;  I 
care  not;  it  is  my  nature  and  I  can  hot?  help  it.  Nover 
was  there  a  being  on  earth  more  truly  and  devotedly  lov 
ed  than  she.  From  our  youth  .up,  we  were  companions 
and  playmates;  and  never  was  there  a  joy  or  sorrow  that 
either  had  before  our  separation,  but  was  .shared  with 
tne  otber.  ,  . .  ., 

Possessiing  strong  passions  myself, /she  grew  to'  .fee 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  213 

the  idol  of  my  thoughts,  the  sun  of  my  mental  system, 
without  which  there  was  nothing  but  a  dull,  aching  void, 
.a  sort  of  chaos  of  rayless  gloom.  I  at  last  came  to  love 
her  with  the  strongest  passions  of  my  nature — to  look 
upon  , her  as  a  being  of  earthly  origin,  but  of  more  than 
mortal  mold — a  sort  of  terrestrial  divinity;  and  this,  too, 
while  I  had  frienos  living,  with  whom  to  divide  my  af 
fections;  judge,  then,  what  must  have  been  my  feelings 
when  I  came  to  know  all  dead  but  her!.  Ah  me!  how  it 
pains  me  to  think  upon  her  absence  now!  Alas!  Rose, 
why  did  you  leave  me  in  the  hour  of  peril?" 

"That  from  that  peril  s-he  you  love  might  save  you," 
answered  r  sweet,  silvery  voice  in  his  ear;  and  at  the 
name  monent  a  soft  female  hand  was  laid  gently  upon 
his  shoulder. 

"Merciful  Heaven!''  cried  Albert,  in  a  voice  almost 
stiffled  with  eccess  of  joy;  '•'Rose'  Rose!  my  own  dearly- 
beloved  Forest  Rose!  do  I  again  really  hear  thee,  feel 
thee,  clasp  thec  once  more?"  and  in 'an  ecstacy  of  de 
light  that  may  be  imagined  but  can  never  be  described, 
he  threw  his  arms  fondly  around  her  slender  form,  and 
strained  her  to  his  wildly-beating  heart  in  a  silent  em 
brace. 

For  some  moments  after  the  meeting  of  the  lovers, 
rot  a  word  was  spoken;  and' then,  disengaging  his  arms, 
Albert  bent  down,  and  imprinted  kiss  after  kiss  upon  her 
lips — uttering,  at  intervals,  the  wildest  exclamations  of 
rapture.''.  .  ,  .,.;.-.  t  ,  •.-. 

"Tell  me,"  he  cried  at  length,  when  he  had  become 
calm  enough  to  put  the  question  .properly- -'''tell  me,  my 
dear  little  Forest  Rose;  where  you  have  been  and  how 
you  .came  to  absent  yourself  during,  such  an  hour  of 
peril?"  . 

"I  will,  denr  Albert,  I  will  tell  you  all,"  replied  the 
other,  in  a  low  silvery  tone.  "Hut  you  must  first  sit 
down  here,  and  promise  to  be  calm,  and  address  me  in  a 
less  boisterous  tone';  for  the 'sharp  ears  of  savages  are  all 


214  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

around  us:  and  a  chance  shot,  fired  in  the  dark,  might 
effect,  what  all  their  skill,  cunning,  and  sagacity  failed 
to  do  in  daylight. 

"I  will  do  all  you  require,  dearest,"  answered  the 
row  delighted  kver;  "but  since  you  speak  of  a  chance 
shot,  let  us  make  our  seat  between  these  rocks,  where 
we  shall  be  more  safe;"  and  Albert  conducted  Rose  to  a 
little  cavity  in  the  rocks,  where  he  seated  her,  and  him- 
seft  beside  her,  and  perhaps  unconsciously,  placed  an  arm 
around  her  sl«-nder  waist." 

"But  your  gallant  companion — I  must  have  him  by 
my  side,  too,"  said  Rose,  when  Albert  signified  that  all 
was  ready.  "To  him,  generous  heart,  we  owe  a  lasting 
debt,  of  gratitude  (emphasizing  the  word  in  a  playful 
manner,  that  showed  she  had  overheard  his  ungenerous 
^ommen+f  on  the  sex  feminine  generally),  and  I  for  one 
at  least,  feel  that  he  can  never  be  repaid." 

"Don't  mention  it,"  answered  the  old  hunter,  feel 
ing  not  a  little  abashed  that  his  own  words  should  so- 
soon  have  so  palpable  a  contradiction. — Dont't  mention 
it;  I've  done  nothing  for  ye  but  shoot  Injens;  and  to  kill 
them  thar  greasy  cusses — beg  pardon,  Miss —  comes  just 
sis  nateral  as  it  does  to  draw  breath.     But  as  to  settnT 
down,  I  thank'e  all  the  same,  but  somebody  oughter     to- 
stand  guard;  and  so,  while  you're  tellin'  your  story,  I'll 
make  myself  useful  that-a-way,  and  I  can  hear  ye  all  the 
same. 

•'T  have  not  time  now,"  said  Rose,  "to  enter  into  par 
ticulars  concerning  my  captivity;  but  at  no  very  distant 
period,  dear  Albert,  should  God  permit  us  both  to  es 
cape,  you  shall  hear  all.  Suffice,  that  I  was  taken  pris 
oner  at  the  same  moment  I  taw  you  felled  to  the  earth, 
by  a  blow  from  the  breech  of  a  musket.  As  I  saw  noth 
ing  more  of  you  afterward,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
*you  were  dead;  and  this  belief  was  soon  to  roe  rendered 
a  certa'nty  by  a  statement  from  the  Indians;  and,  oh!  I 
must  leave  you  to  imagine  my  feelings,  for  I  can  not  de- 


THE  FORE'ST  HOSE  215 

.scribe  them." 

"I  can,  at  least,  have  an  idea  of  them,  from  my 
own,"  interrupted  Albert? — for  my  captors  told  me  you 
were  dead  also.  But  go  on!  go  on!" 

"I  was  brought  a  captive  to  this  place,"  pursued 
Jioso.  'and  adopted  into  the  family  of  an  old  sachem.  It 
it  nut  my  purpose  now  to  relate  to  you  the  manner  in 
which  I  was  concerted  from  a  white  girl  into  an  Indian 
.squaw;  but  let  it  suffice,  it  was  hideous  enough  to  me, 
though  I  had  no  choice  between  it  and  death,  even,  or 
«loi«btles3  1  should  have  chose  the  later.  With  the  excep 
tion  of  bein«  a  captive  among  them,  I  have  been  treated 
as  well  as  any,  better  than  most  squaws  of  the  tribe;  for 
I  have  not  bo«jn  required  to  do  so  much  drudgery  as  gen 
erally  falls  to  the  lot  of  the  females;  and  I  have  been 
honored  with  the  offer  of  any  warrior  among  them  for 
a  husband — though  it  is  needless  to  tell  you,  I  have 
stead  i-ly  refused  to  be  joined  in  wedlock  to  any  one  of  the 
foes  of  mv  race,  and  the  murderers  of  my  friends.  The 
most  importunate  of  all  my  suitors  was  one  they  called 
«Jgwehea  " 

"I  know  him,"  again  interrupted  Albert,  with  sudden 
vehemence — 'I  Vnow  him,  the  villian!  He  was  the  leader 
of  the  party  that  made  me  prisoner,  and  he  it  was  that 
told  me  you  were  dead.  And  so  he  wished  to  marry  you, 
•th?"  pursued  the  excited  and  jealous  lover.  "Oh,  the  ly 
ing  villian!  but  be  shall  yet  pay  dearly  for  this'" 

"Ho  is  already  beyond  your  revenge,"  rejoined  Rose. 

"How  so?" 

"He  is  dead!" 

'Dead !  It  was  but  yesterday  I  saw  him  taking  part 
ir  the  \var-sports  on  the  plain." 

"Well,  he  will  never  do  so  more — for  I  have  truly 
said  ne  iv  dead.  He  was  shot  from  a  rock  in  the  ravine 
below  here — which  rock  he  ascended  to  get  a  chance  id 
pick  you  off — for  he  was  one  of  the  best  marksmen,  and 
accounted  one  of  the  l>ravest  warriors  among  the  nation." 


216  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

"Shot  by  the  unknown  marksman,  was  he!  I  saw 
him  fall;  but  since  you  seem  te  know  so  much  of  his 
death,  pray  tell  me  who  is  our  unknown  mysterious 
friend,  who  so  nobly  saved  us  at  the  perilous  moment? 
Oh!  ]  feel  that  I  could  clasp  him  in  my  arms,  and  call 
him  friend  forever,  be  he  red  man  or  white!  TelJ  me, 
v?ose,  his  nume,  that  I  may  at.  least  treasure  it  in  my 
heart,  should  we  never  meeL" 

•  "He  has  no  name:  but  she,  who  fired  the  rifle,  is 
one  that  you  were  lead  to  think  had  deserted  you  in  the 
hour  of  danger,  to  save  her  own  unworthy  life!" 

"You,  Rose9  you'.'"  cried  Albert  in  a  tone  of  utter 
astonishment.  'Was  it  indeed  you  who  saved  us?  who 
fired  the  rifle  that  sent  two  of  our  most  dangerous  i'oes 
to  eternity?" 

;'.t  was  I,"  answered  Rose  modestly,  leaning  her 
head  upon  the  manly  breast  of  him  she  loved,  and  speak 
ing:  ir.  a  low,  tremulous  tone. 

"Eh,  Wetzel!  what  think  you  now  of  women?"  ex- 
claimed  vhe  evcited  lover.  "What  think  you  now  of  wo 
men  ,  my  friend?" 

"I  take  it  all  back,"  answered  the  old  hunter — "all 
back,  every  ---  word  I've  ever  said  asrain  the  hull  race! 
She's  desarvin'  o'  ye  Master  Albert!  she  desarvin'  of  ye! 
God  oless  hor'  Rose,"  he  continued,  advancing  to  her 
side,  and  speaking  in  that  embarrassed  mnnner  which 
one  so  uncouth  and  unfamiliar  with  the  female  sex  as 
himself  is' apt  to  display;  "Rose — :Miss  Rose — I  axes  your 
pardon'  and  must  say  I'm  powerful  sorry  for  every  word 
I've  said  again  ye.  Ye  did  it  handsome,  gal,  powerful 
han'some — and  that  thar  cuss — -hegs  pardon  agin — keel 
ed  over  just  as  purty  as  ef  he'd  bin  knocked  over  by  an 
old  Kaintuck  rifler.  Jest  gin  my  hand  a  grab,  gal — Miss 
Rose,  I  menn— jest  to  let  a  feller  know  you  don't  hold 
any  ..pite  agin  hin*— for  it's  jest  as  honest  a  hand, 
though  I  say  it  myself,  as  any  on  the  border,  and  pulled' 
jest  about  as  many  triggers  on  the  infernal  red-skins." 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  217 

Rose  seized  the  proffered  hand,  and  pressing  it 
wamly  in  both  her  own,  rejoined,  with  much  fetling: 

"It  needs  no  apology  from  one  as  brave  and  generous 
as  yourself,  Lewis  Wetzel,  for  anything  that,  in  the  heat 
of  the  moment,  and  under  the  peculiar  circumstances, 
you  may  have  uttered  in  disparagement  of  one  who  is  in 
debted  t.o  you  for  her  present  liberty  and  comparative 
happiness.  The  manner  in  which  I  left  you,  was  enough 
to  have  thrown  doubts  of  my  good  faith  over  the  mind  of 
one  knowing  me  far  better  than  yourself.  God  bless  you, 
gallant  hunter!  and  may  we  all  live  to  recall  this  day. 
when  the  Indian  shall  be  seeking  his  hunting-grounds  in 
ihe  still  more  distant  far  West. 

It  was  impossible  to  see  the  features  of  Wetzel.  ow 
ing  to  the  darkness;  but  from  his  manner  of  silently 
squeezing  the  hand  of  Rose  and  turning  aside  without  a 
remark,  it  was  evident  her  gentle  words  had  produced  a 
marked  effect  upon  the  mind  of  the  uncouth  but  intrepid 
backwoodsman. 

"But  you  havo  not  finished  your  story,"  said  Albert, 
gnxious  i'or  Rose  to  resume  her  tale. 

"True,  I  have  not;  but  you  have  rather  spoiled  the 
denouement,  by  questioning  me  too  closely.  However, 
thero  is  but  little  to  tell  to  make  the  whole  matter  clear 
ly  understood. — While  among  the  Indians,  I  managed, 
even  in  the  first  six  months  of  my  captivity,  to  speak 
their  laiifi-iage  so  as  to  make  myself  comprehend  on  all 
ordinary  topics.  By  the  time  I  had  been  with  them  a 
year,  I  could  not  only  understand  all  that  was  said  to  me, 
but  in  return  could  speak  quite  fluently  myself  In  be 
coming  master  of  the  language — in  appearing  to  take 
an  unusual  interest  in  their  customs  and  sports — joined 
to  as  much  seeming  center tment.  as  my  power  for  dis 
sembling  would  permit  me  to  display — in  doing  all  this. 
1  say,  I  had  an  object  beyond  their  cunning  and  sagacity 
to  detect  I  belit-ved  that  if  I  could  ever  effect  my  escape 
from  them,  it  would  not  be  until  I  could  possess  their  full 


2]  8  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

and  unbounded  confidence;  and  in  what  way  could  thi» 
be  so  readily  done  as  by  making  myself  a  complete  In 
dian  in  the  shortest  space  of  time  possible?  It  seems  al 
most  needless  to  add  that  I  succeeded  in  gaining  their  en 
tire  confidence,  and  was  permitted  the  same  freedom  as 
others  of  my  sex. 

"It  is  customary,  among  the  Wyandottes,  to  let  the 
daughters  and  wives  of  distinguished  chiefs  and  war 
riors  take  part  in  the  warlike  pastimes  of  the  males;  and 
hence  a  few  of  the  females  become  nearly  as  expert  with 
the  rifle,  the  bow,  and  the  tomahawk  as  their  fathers- 
and  husbands  With  those  of  my  own  sex  so  distinguish 
ed,  I  was  permitted  to  associate  as  an  equal;  and  though 
it  may  appear  strange  to  you  who  have  ever  known  me  as 
a  timid  maiden,  to  hear  it  from  my  lips,  yet  truth  com 
pels  to  say  that  I  was  not  long  behind  any  of  them  in  the 
mimic  eames  of  death.  To  learn  to  load  and  fire  the  rifle 
with  quickness  and  precision  was  my  favorite  amuse 
ment — if  indeed  amusement  it  could  be  called,  when  I 
looked  upo*.  it  only  as  the  means  of  regaining  my  liberty. 
Enough  for  my  present  purpose  to  say,  that  T  ber-ame 
well  skilled  in  its  use  at  last;  and  then  I  resolved  to  es 
cape  the  first  favorable  opportunity,  and  take  my  favor 
ite  weapon  along  as  a  protection.  Still  I  believed  you 
were  dead:  nor  did  I  know  to  the  contrary  till  I  sudden 
ly  came  upon  you  at  the  spring.  I  knew  you,  but  s-iw 
?nyself  unrecognized — yet  so  overpowered  was  I  with 
strange  emotions,  that  I  could  not  speak  till  it  was  nigh 
being  too  late." 

"Heaven  of  mercy,"  returned  Albert,  in  a  tremulous- 
voice,  "it  makes  me  shudder  to  think  of  it! — that  I,  un 
wittingly  should  be  upon  the  very  point  of  murdering 
her  I  loved  best  on  earth !  Oh,  I  can  never  be  too  thank 
ful  for  your  escape  from  such  a  horrible  death!" 

'It  was  indeed  horrible,"  rejoined  Rose,  "and  we- 
may  both  ha.'e  cause  to  thank  God  for  His  many  mercies 
to  us  this  day!  But  to  conclude  my  story.  When  you 


THE  FOREST  HOSE  219 

nad  conducted  me  to  the  mount  here,  and  put  me,  as  you 
believed,  in  a  place  of  safety,  I  naturally  began  to  look 
around  me  to  see  if  there  were  not  some  means  by  which 
1  could  aid  you  in  the  unequal  contest  about  to  be  waged. 
A  careful  examination  of  the  rocks  and  your  position  led 
me  to  believe  that  you  would  eventually  retreat  to  the 
Tery  place  where  I  now  find  you — where  the  last  stand 
would  oe  made — and  where,  if  not  cut  off  by  an  enemy  in. 
your  rear,  you  might  possibly  hold  out  till  night.  It  then 
occurred  to  me  that  if  below,  and  armed  with  a  rifle  I 
might  be  the  means  of  saving  you  in  the  last  extremity; 
and  no  sooner  did  the  thought  pass  through  my  mind 
rhan  I  set  .iboat  carrying  out  the  idea.  Along  most  of 
the  front  of  the  precipice,  as  you  are  aware,  is  a  small 
undergrowth;  and  crawling  along  through  this,  while 
you  were  eneaged  in  watching  the  Indians,  I  effected  my 
lirst  descent  in  front,  at  the  very  place  the  first  savage 
had  ascended,  whom  your  companion  shot  down.  The 
Indians  saw  me,  but  you  did  not,  owing  to  my  being  a 
little  to  the  left  of  the  avenue  in  the  rocks  which  you 
•were  guarding.  I  told  the  savages  I  had  been  taken 
prismior,  but  was  determined  to  return  to  them.  They 
believed  nr.y  plausible  story,  and  applauded  my  choice, 
and  I  saw  at  once  I  had  their  full  confidence.  This  was 
what  I  desired  most,  as  it  left  me  free  to  act  without  in 
suring  their  suspicion;  and  watching  my  opportunity, 
when  the  attention  of  all  was  drawn  off  by  one  of  their 
fiercest  attacks  on  you-— during  which  I  trembled  for 
your  safetv — I  inanaged  to  get  a  rifle  and  ammunition  in 
my  possession  and  to  withdraw  without  being  detected. 
It  seems  needless  to  add  more,  than  that  I  took  up  mv  po 
sition  near  the  base  of  yonder  rock,  and,  aided  by  an 
«ver-watrhing  Providence  did  what  little  lay  in  my 
power  to  prevent  the  attack  upon  you  from  being  fatal." 

"God  bless  you,  dear  Rose!  you  saved  our  lives!"  was 
the  earnest  response  of  Albert,  as  he  again  strained  the 
fair  being  beside  him  to  his  heart  in  a  fond  embrace. 


220  THE  FQRE3T  ROSE 

Wetzel  now  suggested  that  perhaps  it  would  be  best 
to  be  de-vising  means  or  escaping  under  cover  of  the  clark- 
ne«s;  and  forthwith  a  consultation  was  held,  and  plans 
laid  accordingly 

CHAPTER  XXI 

The  Last  Danger  and  Conclusion 

The  sun  Irtd  been  set  something  like 'two  hours,  and 
ihe  summit  of  the  Standing  Stone  -was  shruaded  in  a 
blackness  impenetrable  by  human  sight,  when  three 
figures  moved  carefully  and  stealthily  over  the  rocks, 
feeling  their  way  at  every  step,  and  began  their  descent 
to  the  hill  below:  Rose  was  the  first  to  reach  the 
ground,  and  turning  her  head  upward,  she  said  to  the 
others,  in  an  almost  inaudible  whisper: 

"Be  not  nsh,  I  beg  of  you,  and  forget  not  my  in 
structions!  Follow  me  at  a  little  distance;  and  when 
you  hear  the  signal,  drop  to  the  earth,  and  remain  quiet 
until  I  return  to  you.  Remember!  remember!  for  your 
lives  depend  on  your  discretion.  God  save  us  all!" 

'Amen!"  was  the  whispered  response  of  Albert;  and 
then  nothing  could  be  heard  but  the 'Sighing  of  the 
breeze  through,  the  forest,  and  the  rustling  of  the  wither 
ed  leaves.  ,  ., 

The  moment  her  companions  had  gained  her  side, 
Rose  set  forward,  and  commenced  descending  the  north 
ern  slope  Of  ihe  mount  noiselessly  by  the  others,  at  the 
distance  of  perhaps  twenty  feet.  They  had  proceeded  in 
this  manner  scarcely  more  than  a  dozen  paces,  when  a 
low  "Hist"  from  Rose  announced  danger.  Stopping 
where  they  wore,  our  scouts  sank  silently  to  the  earth 
and  listened  The  next  moment  they  heard  the  Voice  of 
Rose  addressing  another  person  in  the  Indian  language, 
who  in  turn  made  reply,  by  which  our  friends  knew  that 
she  had  already  come  in  contact  with  one  of  the  sentinels 
set  to  guard  ,*hfc  mount  against  their  escape. 


•THE  FCteEST  ROSE  221 

For  -some  moments  -the  conversation  was  rather 
Animated,  though  carried'  on  in  a  tone'  .'too  low'  for  Wet- 
zel,  who,  as  before  said,  understood  a  smattering  of  the 
Huron  tongue  to  make  out  'anything  that  was  said:' 

As  may'  readily  be  imagined,  there  were  strange 
emotions  at  work  in  the  breasts  of  our  scouts,  each  of 
whom  involuntarily  tightened  the  -grasp-  on  his  rifle. 
They  felr  that  the  peril  was-  great,  and.  they  felt  it  ".the 
more  keenly,  perhaps,  that  since  the  last  fight,  they  had 
counted  with  ;sr;,  much  certainty  ^qn  escaping  a  horrible 
death.  It  reminded  them  forcibly  that,  though  compar 
atively  safe,  o^viug  to  the  cover  of  darkness,  they  were 
far  from  being  free  of  danger,  and  that,  the  slightest  ac 
cident  might  place  thenpi  in  the  hands  of.  the  enemy,  and 
all  tlieir  hopes  prove  fallacious.  .,  ,«,.,,  ,,,,  .,  ••  •  . 

i\or  were  their  feelings  in  any  degree  relieved  by 
'-he  suspense  which  followed;  for,  after  a  short  .conversa- 
lion,  the  .sound.  of  ,  the  speakers'  voices  grew,  moire  and 
more  distant,  and  at  length  became  wholly  inaudible. 
showing  that  they  were  departing  together.  ,At  last  all 
became  still  acain,  and  not  a  sound  could  be  heard  giv 


ing  any  indication  of  what  was  taking  place. 
followed  minute,  and  stjll  all.  remained  silent,,  and  when 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  had  railed  away,  with  no  sign  pi  the 
reappearance  of  Rose,  ooth  Albert  and  Wetzel  experienc 
ed  an  intense  anxiety  impossible  for  usf.  to.  describe. 
TJ'ancy  was  busy  with  .the  lo.ver,  c.onjuring  up  a  thousand 
appalling  circumstances  to,  prevent  the  return  of  her  he 
loved.  Perhaps  she  had;  been  .watched,  and  all  her  secret 
doings  been  exposed,  and  he  felt  his  blood  run  chill  at 
the  bare  thought.  She  might  .even  now  ;be.  a  captive; 
and  the  departure  of  the  sentinel  might  have  been  to 
summon  a  large  party  of  warriors  to  surround  the  mount 
und  cut  off  his  last  hope. 

"Ob.,  this-  is  torture  equal  to  death!"  he  whispered 
to  his  companion;  to  be  thus  overthrown  as  it  were  in 
the  very  moment  of  victory!  Ah  me!  what  can  thus  de- 


222  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

tain  Rose?    I  fear  something  awful  has  happened!" 

"It  looks  powerfully  squally,"  was  the  reply,  "and 
J  don't  know  what  to  make  on't  myself.  Ef  the  gal 
shouldn't  come  back,  we'll  be  in  a  powerful  ugly  fix,  and 
no  mistake.  1  don't  like  it— I  tell  you  I  don't,  on  the 
honor  o'  a  white  gintleman." 

Oh,  God.'  if  she  should  be  lost  to  me  now!if  rejoined 
Albert,  suppressing  a  groan  of  agony  that  rose  to  his 

lips;    'I " 

A  low  "Hist"  interrupted  him,  and  the  next  mo 
ment  the  object  of  his  remark  and  anxiety  glided  silent 
ly  to  his  side.  Albert  had  sufficient  presence  of  mind  to 
restrain  the  exclamation  of  joy  that  the  very  bounding 
of  his  heart  almost  forced  from  him;  and  springing  to 
his  feet,  he  enfolded  Rose  in  a  silent  but  most  ardent  em 
brace. 

"Why  did  you  stay  away  so  long,  dearest?"  he  whis 
pered.  "Oh!  I  have  been  so  alarmed  for  your  safety." 

"I  could  not  return  sooner,  dear  Albert,"  was  the 
softly  whispered  reply.  "By  a  little  stratagem  of  my 
own,  I  have  succeeded  in  persuading  the  sentinel  who 
obstructed  cur  path,  to  remove  further  down,  and  to  the 
right.  To  do  th?s,  I  promised  to  meet  him  there  at  mid 
night.  God  forgive  me!  I  then  left  him,  and  proceeded 
down  the  hill  alone,  to  learn  if  the  path  were  clear.  I 
found  another,  not  twenty  steps  below;  and  by  the  same 
deception,  I  succeeded  in  getting  him  to  remove  to  the 
left — thus  leaving  a  certain  course  down  the  hill  clear 
of  all  harm  or  obstruction.  Follow  me,  and  be  more 
cautious  than  ever:  for  on  every  side  of  us  are  armed  sen 
tinels,  and  the  least  noise  will  bring  them  down  upon  us, 
and  then  farewell  to  hope  forever.  Our  whole  course, 
for  the  first  half  mile,  is  one  of  extreme  peril,  and  noth 
ing  but  the  watchful  eye  of  Almighty  God  can  guide  us 
through  in  Sc.fpiy.  But  I  will  share  your  fate,  dear  Al 
bert,  whatever  it  may  be.  If  you  die,  your  own  little 
Forest  Rose  shall  die  with  you." 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  223 

"God  bless  you!"  faintly  ejaculated  the  other,  fer 
vently. 

"Gal,"  whispered  Wetzel;  "beg  pardon — Miss  Rose, 
J  mean — you're  fit  to  be  the  wife  of  the  best  hunter  and 
Injen  fighter  in  these  diggins.  Yes,  hang  me,  ef  you 
wouldn't  be  a  credit  to  a  gineral!  Ef  ever  I  m  cotched 
sayin'  any  thing  again  women  again,  may  1  be — !  Beg 
pardon — didn't  mean  no  offense." 

"Hist!"  rejoined  Rose.     "Silence,  and  follow  me." 

She  went  forward  again  in  the  same  manner  as  at 
first,  and  stealthily  her  steps  were  pursued  by  the 
scouts,  at  the  distance  of  some  ten  or  fifteen  feet.  In  this 
way  they  reached  the  plain  without  accident;  when, 
taking  the  hand  of  Albert,  Rose  set  off  at  a  faster  gait — 
though  in  what  direction,  it  was  so  dark  as  to  be  impos 
sible  for  him  to  tell.  He  only  knew  that  he  was  passing 
over  the  prairie,  and  increasing  the  distance  between 
himself  and  the  mount;  and  as  minute  after  minute  went 
by,  without  disturbance,  he  began  to  breathe  more  and 
more  freely.  Save  a  slight  pressure  of  the  hand,  there 
was  no  communication  between  the  lovers;  for  so  in 
tense  was  the  excitement  under  the  peculiar  cinrcum- 
stances,  that  neither  ventured  to  speak  even  in  a  whis 
per;  and  "Wetzel,  though  as  much  puzzled  to  tell  whither 
he  was  gotnr  as  Albert,  did  not  think  proper  at  the  mo 
ment  to  question  his  fair  guide,  but,  having  full  ronfi- 
dence  in  her  knowledge  and  discretion,  followed  close  be 
hind  in  silence. 

At  ler.gth,  greatly  to  the  surprise  of  our  scouts,  they 
beheld  several  lights  sparkling  just  before  them;  and 
Rose  suddenly  came  to  a  halt,  uttering  the  single  word 
"Hist,"  in  a  low  whisper. 

Stir  not,  speak  not,  make  no  sound  whatever!  for 
your  Jives  are  hanging  on  a  bare  thread,  as  it  were?"  she 
said;  and  then  silently  glided  away  from  them. 

She  had  scarcely  gone  a  dozen  steps,  when  a  dojt 
ran  toward  her  and  uttered  a  fierce  bark.  At  the  same 


224  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

time  she  heard  the  click  of.  the  rifles  of  her  frtends  be 
hind  her  as  they  cocked  them,  ready  for  an  onset.  Ad 
dressing  a  few  words  in  the  Indian  tongue  to  the  dog  in 
a  low  tone,  the  animal  walked  away,  apparently  satis 
fied  that  he  had  caused  a  false  alarm;  and  then  hastily 
rejoining  her  friends,  who  said,  in  a  whisper,  almost 

angrily: 

"Unc.oclt  your  rifles!  Why  are  you  so  imprudent, 
when  T  have  warned  you  that  the  least  sound  unusual 
will  prove  fatal  to  all.  You  are  now  on  the  very  borders 
of  the  Indian  village,  and  a  hundred  ears  are  open  to  de 
tect  the  slightest  evidence  of  your  presence!" 

"Good  heavens!"  returned  Albert,  "I  knew  not  that. 
Why  have  you  led  us  here,  dearest?" 

"As  the  only  way  by  which  you  can  escape.  The 
whole  plain  is  guarded  in  every  direction  but  thi^;  and  I 
deemed  it  less  hazardous  to  attempt  a  passage  through 
the  village,  than  through  the  lines  of  sentinels  posted 
along  other  outlets  from  the  mount.  But  hush!  down  to 
the  earth  again!1' 

This  last  injunction  was  caused  by  hearing  the  tread 
of  a  moccasin  ed  foot  near  where  the  party  stood,  ap 
parently  approaching  them;  and  as  the  hunLers  obeyed 
the  order  of  Rose,  and  silently  placed  themselves  flat 
upon  the  earth,  the  latter  again  glided  forward,  and  the 
next  moment  was  addressed  by  the  unwelcome  corner, 
whose  voice  betrayed  him  to  be  a  warrior.  Rose  made 
some  reply,  uttered  a  light  laugh,  and  the  other  depart 
ed,  apparent!}  satisfied.  Although  this  interruption 
lasted  but  a  moment,  yet  it  had  a  powerful  effect  upon 
the  scouts,  and  caused  them  a  thrill  of  fear  unlike  any- 
'hing  they  had  experienced  through  all  the  terrible  trials 
of  that  eventful  dny.  The  difference  was  this:  life  was 
not  really  worth  atiy  more  to  them  now  than  then;  but 
now  they  were  looking  upon  escape  as  certain,  and, 
in  the  sudden  danger  occurring,  felt  a  terrible,  heart- 
sickening  reaction. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  225 

As  soon  as  the  warrior  had  passed  on,  they  silently 
rose  to  their  feet,  and  were  again  immediately  rejoined 
by  their  fair  guide,  who  is  a  whisper  bade  them  follow 
her  steps.  She  now  led  them  right,  among  the  cluster- 
Ing  ledges;  and  as  they  stealthily  moved  along,  they 
could  occasionally  perceive  a  dark  figure  stalking  about 
between  them  and  some  one  of  the  many  smouldering 
fires,  and  others  squatted  down  smoking  lazily,  and  oth 
ers  more  lazily  still  stretched  out  at  a  full  length  upon 
ihe  earth.  Several  times  they  passed  warriors  singly  and 
in  groups,  so  near  that  Rose,  who  understood  their  lingo, 
''o;ild  distinctly  hear  the  latter  discussing  the  events  of 
the  day,  wonder !ng  by  what  magic  our  gallant  sccuts 
had  oeen  enabled  to  hold  out  against  an  enemy  «?o  num 
erous,  powerful,  and  veil  skilled  in  all  the  many  strata 
gems  of  border  warfare. 

At  last,  r'ust  as  they  were  leaving  the  village — and 
when  the  many  huts  had  become  more  scattered,  and 
confidence  in  themselves  restored  in  like  proportion — a 
squaw  suddenly  issued  from  a  wigwam  directly  in  their 
path:  and  before  the  least,  precautions  could  be  taken, 
actually  brushed  against  Rose,  and  uttered  an  exclama 
tion  of  surprise.  Our  scouts  were  only  a  step  behind, 
and  for  a  moment  believed  that  all  was  lost;  but  exorcis 
ing  their  usual  presence  of  mind,  they  again  dropped  si- 
'ontly  to  the  oarth,  and  awaited  the  result  with  feelings 
better  imagined  than  described. 

Nor  did  the  interview  seem  likely  to  terminate  as 
favorably  as  those  which  had  previously  occurred  between 
Rose  ai:ii  the  warriors  she  had  met;  for  by  her  manner 
of  speaVing,  as  well  as  now  and  then  a  word  she  uttered 
which  Welzol  could  understand,  it  was  evident  the  old 
soua\v  was  suspicious  that  all  was  not.  as  should  be. 
Hor  voice  was  loud  and  imperious,  as  she  put  question  af 
ter  question  to  the  trembling  Rose,  moving  about  the 
while,  till  at  last  she  actually  came  so  near  to  Albert, 
that  lie  was  afraid  to  stir  a  single  limb,  lest  he  should 


226  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

touch  her  and  expose  his  presence.  To  the  mild  but 
slightly  tremulous  answers  of  Rose,  she  responded  in  a 
haughty,  angry  tone,  that  showed  she  put  little  faith  in 
wnat  the  poor  gill  said.  As  if  to  make  matters  still 
worse,  some  of  the  many  warriors  loitering  about  the  vil 
lage,  attracted  by  the  loud  conversation,  began  to  ap 
proach;  aid  Albert,  looking  upon  discovery  as  certain  to 
follow,  wa«  already  on  the  point  of  springing  to  his  feet 
and  attempting  a  silont  death  upon  the  old.  hag — by 
stabbing,  strangulation,  or  both  together — when,  utter 
ing  an  angry  exclamation,  she  suddenly  bounded  away 
in  the  direction  of  a  smouldering  fire  in  front  of  a  lodge, 
not  moro  than  thirty  or  forty  paces  distant. 

"Oh,  God'  we  are  lost:"  cried  Rose,  in  a  fearful 
whisper,  the  moment  she  was  gone.  ''We  are  lost  dear 
Albert,  unless  you  can  effect  your  escape  while  she  is 
absent.  It  is  the  mother  of  Ogwehea;  and  enraged  for 
the  lose-  of  her  son,  she  either  believes  or  pretends  to  be 
lieve,  that  I  have  had  something  to  do  with  the  affair, 
and  that  I  am  even  now  assisting  you  to  escape;  and  she 
has  gone  for  a  torch  to  make  a  search  for  you — she 
strongly  contends  that  you,  hidden  by  the  darkness,  are 
within  h.earirg  distance  of  her  voice.  See!  see!  she  has 
reached  the  embers,  and  I  hear  others  approaching.  Oh, 
fly!  fly!  an<l  e?cape,  if  such  a  thing  be  possible!" 

While  Rose  was  speaking,  Albert  and  Wetzel  had 
/sprung  to  their  feet,  and  now  stood  close  beside  the 
frightened  and  trembling  maiden. 

"But  you — you,  my  own  dear  P'ovest  Rose — you 
must  go  with  us!  I  can  not  part  from  you  again  " 

"No,  no — leave  me!  leave  me'-— fly!  fly: — fear  not 
for  me  If  you  are  absent  and  she  finds  you  not,  I  shall 
be  safo  from  harm — otherwise  wo  shall  all  perish  to 
gether.  There,  see:  she  has  gathered  a  brand,  and  is 
now  returning;  and  look!  others  are  joining  her!  Oh, 
fo~  God'r.  sake!  if  you  love  me,  fly!  fly  at  once — fast  and 
far,  but  silently,  and  I  will  soon  join  you." 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  227 

The  emergency  was  too  great  to  admit  of  longer  de 
lay;  and  pressing  the  hand  of  Rose  in  silence,  and  even 
venturing  to  imprint  a  kiss  upon  her  trembling  lips,  Al 
bert  turned  and  touched  Wetzel  on  the  shoulder,  glided 
away  liKe  a  specter,  followed  as  noiselessly  by  the  old 
hunter. 

Both  soon  had  reason  to  congratulate  theniselves- 
on  their  timely  escape;  for  immediately  after,  the  brand 
which  the  old  squaw  had  seized,  burst  into  flame,  and 
shown  directly  on  the  spot  our  scouts  had  vacated,  re 
vealing  the  only  solitary  figure  of  little  Forest  Rose, 
standing  firmly  erect,  with  her  arms  folded  on  her  bosom, 
awaiting  the  coming  of  the  suspicious  mother  and  the 
half  a  dozen  warriors  that  had  joined  her. 

Although  our  scouts  continued  on  the  retreat,  fear 
ing  to  halt  in  such  a  dangerous  vicinity,  they  by  looking 
behind  th^m  occasionally,  could  note  the  progress  of 
event0  \vith  considerable  accuracy.  On  coming  up  to 
Rose,  the  old  woman  appeared  to  engage  the  girl  in  con- 
versntion;  \vhile  the  warriors  separated,  and  darting  off 
in  vorious  directions,  soon  formed  a  large  circle,  and  be 
gan  carefully  to  examine  the  ground  and  approach  the 
light  ir  the  center.  Some  ten  minutes  were  thus  occu 
pied  in  the  search,  when  the  last  one  came  in,  and  all 
apparently  satisfied  that  the  suspicions  of  the  old  woman 
w-.re  unfounded.  A  short  consultation  was  then  held, 
when  the  whole  party  broke  up,  and  Rose  was  allowed  to 
depart  in  peace. 

Fearful  her  steps  might  be  watched,  should  she  ven 
ture  toward  her  friends,  she  carelessly  sauntered  off  in  an 
opposite  dhection;  but  the  moment  she  found  herself 
entirely  alone,  and  concealed  by  darkness,  she  turned 
about,  anj  noiselessly  glided  on  after  them. 

But.  if  the  night  proved  a  safeguard  against  the  de- 
'ection  of  the  hunters,  it  was  not  as  likely  to  prove  fatal  to 
their  hopes,  by  keeping  asunder  those  who  had  become 
separated.  How  were  Rose  and  her  friends  to  meet, 


228  THE  FOREST  ROS, 

since  neither  could  see  a  hand  before  them  and  dared 
not  spoak  above  a  whisper,  for  fear  of  exposing  them- 
seleves  to  a  dangerous  enemy? 

This  was  truly  a  perplexing,  if  not  feaful  predica- 
mont;  a.id  alarmed  at  the  thought  and  not  knowing  what 
to  do,  Albert  asked  advice  of  his  companion.  The  other 
studied  a  few  moments,  and  then  replied  still  in  a  whis 
per: 

•I  hev  it;  I  hev  it!  just  as  easy  as  shootin'  D>'o 
remember  the  whip-poorwill,  lad? — dy'e  remember  the 
bird?  Jost  let  her  sing  agin — but  not  too  loud,  mind!" 
'A  happy  thought,"  returned  Albert,  sqeezing  the 
old  hunter's  hand  in  an  ecstasy  of  delight  at  the  sugges 
tion;  and  he  forthwith  proceeded  to  put  it  in  practice. 

But  for  a  long  time  it  seemed  to  be  without  suc 
cess:  and  Albert  was  about  to  abandon  his  imitation  in 
despeir,  when  a  light  quick  step,  and  a  low  "Hist"  an 
nounced  the  only  being  he  loved  on  earth,  the  beautiful 
Forest  Rose. 

The  next  moment  the  lovers  were  clasped  in  each 
others  embrace,  and  the  earnest  words,  "God  bless  you!' 
"God  be  praised!"  escaped  each  others  lips  in  whispers 
that  scarcely   rose   above   the   gentlest      sighing   of   the 
breeze. 

The  danger  was  now  nearly  past,  but  still  great  cau 
tion  \vas  requisite  to  avoid  exposure — and  swiftly, 
stealthily,  noiselessly,  the  whole  party  glided  away;  and 
crossing  tne  Hoc-knocking,  they  kept  along  its' northern 
bank  for  something  like  an  hour,  when  the  silvery  voice 
of  Rose  broke  the  silence,  with  the  heart  cheering  words: 
"Thank  God,  we  are  saved!"  and  dropping  upon  her 
knees,  with  her  lover  beside  her,  both  poured  out  their 
souls  in  a  prayer  of  thanksgiving  to  Him  who  had  pre 
served  them  unharmed  through  all  their  many  trials  and 
perils,  and  brought  tbem  so  mysteriously  together  again, 
to  the  enjoyment  of  a  happiness  rendered  tenfold  mora 
delightful  for  the  painful  adversity  each  had  experienced. 


THE  FOREST  ROSE  229 

And  here,  kind  reader,  we  must  bring  our  story  to  a 
close.  True,  our  lovers,  stili  had  a  long  journey  to  per 
form  before  they  could  find  themselves  in  a  place  of  ab 
solute  safety  from  the  Indians,  but  as  no  incidents  worthy 
of  record  occurred  on  that  journey,  we  will  not  vvoary  you 
with  further  details  but  pass  it  over  by  saving  that,  fol 
lowing  the  Hockhocking  River,  they  in  safety  reached 
the  station  just  above  its  junction  with  the  Ohio,  after  a 
fatiguing  march  of  three  days  from  quitting  Standing 
Stone,  ."nd  the  village  of  the  Hurons. 

Tf  seems  almost  needless  to  add,  that  all  were  re 
ceived  with  the  most  heartfelt  welcome  by  the  inmates  of 
the  stacion.  After  remaining  two  or  three  days  to  re 
cruit  from  the  fatigues  of  the  journey — during  which 
little  Forest  Rose,  an  object  alike  of  love  and  curiosity, 
was  reciiristened.  if  we  may  so  term  it,  and  robed  in 
garments  becoming  her  sex  and  station — the  whole  party 
set  out  for  Campus  Martins.  This  was  a  military  station 
on  the  banks  of  the  Muskinghuin,  near  or  on  the  present 
site  of  Marietta,  and  then  occupied  by  a  large  military 
corps,  and  as  the  head-quarters  of  Governor  St.  Clair. 
Out  of  respect  to  our  gallant  scouts  and  to  insure  them 
from  further  dangers  of  the  wilderness,  Colonel  Martin 
with  a  portion  of  his  garrison,  accompanied  them  as  an 
escort.  On  their  arrival  at  Campus  Martius,  the  colonel 
introduced  them  to  the  Governor — who,  on  learning  the 
valuable  service  they  had  rendered  to  the  country,  re 
ceived  thorn  warm'iy  and  kindly — and  besides  introduc 
ing  them  to  his  family,  frankly  tendered  both  Lowis 
\fyetzel  and  Albert  Maywood  a  commission  in  the  territo 
rial  militia.  The  former  refused,  but  the  latter  accepted 
the  offer;  and  to  the  day  of  his  death,  our  hero  bore  the 
same  rank  as  his  gallant  but  unfortunate  father. 

A  day  or  two  after  the  arrival  of  our  friends  at 
Campiv  Martius,  Albert  and  Rose  were  united  in  the 
holy  bonas  of  matrimony — the  Governor  himself  offici 
ating  as  magistrate,  in  the  presence  of  the  whole  garri- 


230  THE  FOREST  ROSE 

son,  who  fired  a  military  salute  in  honor  of  the  occasion. 

Having  seen  his  friend  united  to  the  being  of  his 
choice,  and  both  rendered  happy,  Wetzel,  against  all  per 
suasion,  took  a  tearful  leave  of  each,  and  again  returned 
to  the  forest,  in  his  accustomed  vocation  of  Indian  hunt 
er,  scalper,  and  spy.  Albert  afterwards  heard  of  his  gal 
lant  deeds  on  the  North-western  frontier;  and  subse 
quently,  that  he  had  departed  to  the  still  further  far 
West,  beyond  the  bounds  of  approaching  civilzation. 

The  brilliant  victory  of  General  Wayne,  the  year 
following,  over  the  combined  forces  of  the  different  In 
dian  tribes,  so  disheartened  the  latter,  that  they  were 
fain  to  bury  the  hatchet;  and  in  171»5  a  treaty  was  con 
cluded  at  Greenville,  by  which  most  of  their  hunting 
}  rounds  "\\ere  ceded  to  the  United  States;  and  among 
•.he  rest  wae  Tarhetown,  and  the  possession  of  the  Wyan- 
dotts,  embracing  the  scene  where  a  large  portion  of  the 
present  story  is  located — Tarhe  himself  being  present, 
<md  signing  away  his  beautiful  home  with  his  own  hands. 

Albert  and  his  lovely  wife  remained  at  Campus  Mar- 
tius  till  after  the  peace  of  Greenville,  when  he  removed 
to  the  lands  nccuoiftd  by  hip  father  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  where  he  i>uilt  a  verj  comfortable  residence, 
lived  to  the  age  of  sixty,  and  at  last  went  down  to  his 
grave,  beloved,  lamented,  and  full  of  honors — -having 
twice  been  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature, 
been  high  Sheriff  of  the  county  for  several  years,  besides 
having  filled  vaiious  other  offices  of  trust  in  the  gitt  of 
the  people 

From  the  time  of  Albert's  celebrated  escape  from  the 
Indians,  and  the  recovery  of  her  so  dear  to  him.  his  life 
was  a  scene  of  unalloyed  happiness,  till  grim  Death 
snatched  from  him  the  fair  partner  of  his  bosom,  which 
occurred  about  three  years  previous  to  his  own  demise.  A 
private  cemetery  was  made  on  the  little  knoll'—  the 
scene  of  the  painful  tragedy  recorded  in  the  former  por 
tion  of  this  bumble  narrative and  here  the  remains 


THE  FOREST  ROSE:  231 

of  aw  earthly  angel  \vere  deposited,  with  a  white  slab  of 
marble  to  mark  the  resting-place,  on  the  head  of  which 
was  3ngraved  this  curious  epitaph: 

THE-:  LAST  HUME  OF  FOREST  ROSE — ONCE  AN 
ANGEL  HERE — NOW  AN  ANGEL  IN  HEAVEN. 

Beside  the  remains  of  hj&  wife,  were  subsequently 
deposited  those  of  Captain  Albert  Maywood — together 
''.'ith  those  of  his  father,  mother,  brother  and  sister — and 
a  large  monument,  since  erected,  briefly  tells  the  event 
ful  story  of  their  horrible  butchery. 

Albort  and  Rose  left  behind  them  two  children — -a 
son  and  a  daughter-— each  bearing  an  appellal  ion  of  their 
resperteu  parents — and  both,  so  far  as  we  have  been  able 
jo  learn,  inheriting  their  many  noble  virtues.  The  knoll 
has  become  the  i-emetery  of  the  family,  and  the  descend 
ants  of  Mayvood  are  still  in  the  possession  of  the  lands 
<jf  th«;ir  ancestors. 


fi 
y 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Form  L9-50TO-4,'61(B8994s4)444 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


PS 

1091* 
Bltffo 
1850 


